Mrs. Deborah L Pettitt

The "language of children is play." I use expressive therapies like play,drama,sand,and art to help children process their problems and find answers. When a child plays out a solution to a problem he/she has the unique ability to actually experience success in the moment. I have taken extensive training to learn how to help children play out their problems. I am one of a very few Registered Play Therapist Supervisors in the state of Arizona.

My specialty is helping children recover from trauma, abuse and neglect. In this process I help them to see their parent as a ready resource. Parents make sense of and learn to respond to bizarre behaviors that young trauma victims exhibit. Finally, children securely attach to parents.

I look at the developmental stages that a child missed due to trauma or loss. I then help the child grow through these missed stages so that they can operate normally with their family and community. I often advocate for the child and family with the school system.