Gentle, Child-Centred Play Therapy for Children, and Families

Merna Tawfik, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), is deeply passionate about supporting children and families through life’s emotional challenges and transitions. She has worked across therapeutic, hospital, academic, developmental, community, and assessment-based settings, supporting children and adults navigating trauma, anxiety, mood concerns, chronic illness, and neurodivergence. With a background in research and psychoeducational assessment, Merna brings curiosity and care to each client’s unique story. She believes therapy is not about changing who you are, but about helping you come home to yourself.

Working with Children Through Play Therapy

Merna specializes in working with children aged 5–10 using gentle, developmentally appropriate play therapy approaches. Through play, art, storytelling, and creative expression, children can explore emotions, build confidence, and develop coping skills in a way that feels natural and safe. Her work supports children experiencing anxiety, emotional regulation challenges, trauma, family transitions, and neurodivergence.

What It’s Like to Work with Merna

Merna’s goal is for every client—and every child—to feel safe, understood, and gently supported. She hopes clients leave each session feeling lighter, more connected to themselves, and more hopeful, without fear of judgment. She takes time to build strong therapeutic relationships and to understand each person’s strengths, interests, and experiences.

What to Expect in a Session

Sessions with Merna offer a calm, supportive space where clients can slow down and be themselves. With children, sessions may include play, drawing, storytelling, or creative activities. With teens and adults, sessions focus on gentle conversation, reflection, and practical tools. Merna incorporates mindfulness, grounding, and emotion-focused strategies, creating a warm, collaborative atmosphere paced in a way that feels safe and manageable.

Therapeutic Approach

Merna’s approach is gentle, collaborative, and grounded in empathy. She believes healing happens when people feel safe enough to be honest about their emotions and experiences. Therapy focuses on building trust, understanding patterns, and developing tools that support clarity, resilience, and self-compassion. Rather than “fixing” people, Merna helps clients reconnect with their strengths, values, and inner resources.

Therapeutic Modalities

• Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT): Helps clients understand and process emotions to support healing, connection, and self-awareness.
• Trauma-Informed Care: Recognizes how past experiences shape emotions and relationships, prioritizing safety, empowerment, and nervous system regulation.
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Identifies unhelpful thought patterns and builds practical coping strategies.
• Attachment-Based Therapy: Explores early relational experiences to build more secure and fulfilling connections.

Areas of Support

• Play therapy for children ages 5–10
• Anxiety and emotional regulation
• Complex trauma and abuse recovery
• Depression and mood concerns
• Grief and loss
• Chronic illness and health anxiety
• Cultural identity and BIPOC experiences
• Neurodivergence and developmental differences
• Inner child work
• Phobias

Inclusive and Culturally Responsive Care

Merna offers therapy in both English and Arabic, helping clients feel comfortable, understood, and supported in the language that feels most natural to them. Her work is client-centred, strength-based, and culturally responsive.

Words Merna Lives By

“Healing is not about going back to who you were before the pain. It's about letting the pain transform you into a version of yourself that feels more, loves deeper, fears less, and has more space for the complexity of what it means to be human.” – Cory Muscara

“Our wounds are often the openings into the best and most beautiful part of us.” – David Richo

Begin Your Child or Family’s Journey

If your child is struggling with big emotions, anxiety, or life changes, or if your family is looking for gentle, supportive guidance, Merna is here to help. Reach out today to begin a therapy journey rooted in safety, connection, and growth.