Theraplay® – A First Step to Managing Emotional Regulation by Lorie Walton | Mar 22, 2021 | Child Psychotherapy (First Published in The Canadian Association for Child and Play Therapy’s National Magazine – Playground, April 2011) Lorie Walton, M.Ed, CPT/S, RP Certified Theraplay® Therapist Trainer Supervisor Owner of Family First Play Therapy Centre Inc www.familyfirstplaytherapy.net Executive Director of Theraplay Canada www.theraplaycanada.ca When children experience any type of challenge (emotional, developmental, educational, medical, familial) their emotional regulation systems experience a stress response. Ongoing stress reactions can impact the child’s ability to maintain emotional regulation. Stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, surge thru the child’s body during stressful times. These hormones are negative and can impact the child’s developing regulating system in inhibitive ways. The heart rate increases to power the human body during ‘flight’ or ‘fight’ respo