Daria · child play specialist · Haarlem
Play
Children don't tell you what's inside. They play it.
Play sessions in Russian for children aged 3 to 12. The method: child-centered play therapy.
Haarlem — 15–20 minutes by train from Amsterdam.
Book the first meeting ↓When
“Something is off” is reason enough.
- 01Meltdowns that don't end.
- 02Fears that keep growing.
- 03Gone quiet. Withdrawn. Hard to reach.
- 04Fighting — at home or at school.
- 05A move, a divorce, a new sibling.
- 06New country. New language. New classroom.
- 07Nightmares, bitten nails, glued to mum.
You don't need a diagnosis, and you don't need to be sure. A parent's “I'm worried” is enough — the first meeting exists precisely to figure it out together.
Method
“Birds fly, fish swim, and children play.”— Garry Landreth
The child leads.
The adult stays close.
The play does the work.
The method is called child-centered play therapy. In the playroom, the child decides what to play and how. I don't teach, judge or hurry — I stay fully present, name the feelings, and hold warm, clear boundaries.
In that safety, a child plays out what troubles them — and changes from within, at their own pace.
This is not improvisation: the approach carries half a century of research, with meta-analyses spanning more than 90 studies. Parents usually notice the first shifts within a few weeks; lasting results most often take shape over 12–20 sessions.
Path
The introduction
Thirty minutes, parents only, without the child. You talk, I listen — and tell you honestly whether I can help. No commitment.
The first session
The child walks into the playroom. Looks around. Chooses. Begins. That is enough.
Every week
Forty-five minutes, one on one, at a fixed day and time. The rhythm itself is part of the work.
Talking with parents
Every 4–5 sessions we meet for an hour: what's happening in the play, and what will support your child at home.
The finale
Good work isn't cut off — it's completed. We look back at the journey and prepare the child to say goodbye to the room.
Room
A room where everything can be said — without a single word.
Real-life toys. A sand tray with miniatures. Paint, paper, costumes. Materials for big feelings.
And everything always in its place. Predictability is part of safety, too.
Daria
An adult who takes play seriously.
My name is Daria. I'm a child play specialist: a background in psychology, training in child-centered play therapy, and regular supervision.
I work in Russian with Russian-speaking families across North Holland. The practice is in Haarlem; you'll receive the exact address after booking.
To be clear and honest: I am not a doctor or a psychotherapist, and play sessions don't replace medical care.
Fees
- Session
- 45 minutes, weekly
- Parent meeting
- 60 minutes, every 4–5 sessions
- Day and time
- fixed, reserved for you
- Fee
- to be confirmed
- Payment
- by invoice, bank transfer
- Cancellation
- 24 hours' notice, or the session is charged
The exact address in Haarlem is shared after booking.
Questions
Is “just playing” really enough?
For a child, play isn't a break from life — it's how life gets processed. In play, children bring out what they don't yet have words for, and work through it on their own territory. That's why the method works: not despite the play, but because of it.
How many sessions will we need?
Every story has its own pace. Parents usually notice the first shifts within a few weeks; lasting results most often take shape over 12–20 sessions. We check in regularly at parent meetings and never stretch it longer than needed.
What do I tell my child before the first visit?
The truth, kept short: “There's a room full of toys, and Daria — she speaks Russian. You can play whatever you like there.” Not a doctor, not a test — a room for play.
Will you tell me what my child did?
What happens in the sessions is the child's territory of trust, and I protect it. But you're never left out: at parent meetings we talk about what matters — the progress, and how to support your child at home. The single exception is a safety risk.
My child goes to a Dutch school. Is Russian enough?
Sessions are in Russian — the language of home and of feelings. For play, that is more than enough: much of the work happens without words at all.
What if my child won't play?
They will. Not necessarily right away — and that's fine. The room is built so that nothing has to be performed: it's okay to look around, it's okay to stay quiet. I'm there, and I don't rush.
Is this a medical service?
No. Play sessions are not medical care and don't replace a doctor or a psychotherapist. If things feel acute, contact your huisarts (GP); in an emergency, call 112.
How do booking and payment work?
Start with the introductory meeting: 30 minutes, without the child, no commitment. Then we agree on a fixed day and time. Payment is by invoice, via bank transfer.
Begin
The first step is a conversation.
An introductory meeting: 30 minutes, parents only, without the child. You tell me about your child — I tell you honestly how I can help. No commitment.
Online booking is on its way — the link will appear right here.