Kate Merwin

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 15 years of experience working with children and families, and for more than a decade I’ve focused on play therapy with children ages 3–7. I have advanced training in trauma-informed clinical social work and I am a Coercive Control Specialist.

My work has taken place in settings where families are often under a lot of stress, including time spent with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Behavioral Services Unit and providing play therapy in homes, schools, and domestic violence shelters. That experience shaped how I work with children today and helped me see just how much young kids are able to process when they feel safe.

I primarily work with children ages 3–7 who have experienced trauma, including exposure to domestic violence, high-conflict divorce, anxiety, fearfulness, impulsivity, and behavioral challenges. Parents often tell me their child settles in quickly and that sessions feel calm and steady, even when things outside of therapy feel overwhelming.

I believe play is how kids make sense of their world. Many don’t know how to talk about what they've experienced, but through play they can express feelings, work through fears, and begin to feel more in control. My role is to create a space where children feel safe enough to do that work at their own pace.

I use Child-Centered Play Therapy, dyadic (parent/child) play therapy, and expressive art-based techniques, and I adjust my approach based on each child’s needs and developmental level. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all model, and sessions are shaped by what helps your kid feel most secure and understood.

I place a strong emphasis on helping caregivers better understand what their child’s behavior is communicating so they feel more confident responding at home. My goal is to help children feel calmer, more regulated, and more secure—both during sessions and in their everyday lives.

Our first session is divided into 2 parts. First, I'll learn more about your child and your family. I start by talking with you alone to hear your perspective and understand your child’s history and current challenges. After that, you and your child just get play with the mobile play therapy kit that I bring with me. There's no pressure for your child to talk or explain anything. By the end of that session, we'll review what I’ve learned, discuss areas to focus on, and plan next steps.