Deepening your connection with: your relationships, your child, yourself.
Welcome! If you are here, you might be navigating a season of feeling disconnected—whether that is a disconnect from your own inner world, a strain in your relationships with the people around you, or a sense of feeling lost in how to truly meet and support your children. True wellness begins when we look at the whole picture. Healing isn't just about managing behaviors; it is about tending to the deep, vital bonds you share with your loved ones, and ultimately, reclaiming a safe, authentic connection with yourself.
That core belief is exactly why our practice is growing. We are so excited to share that Thrive Through Connection is the natural expansion of Thrive Through Play Therapy. This evolution allows for a much bigger reach—offering a dedicated space not only for children's healing, but also for teens and adults seeking deeper alignment. While the name is expanding to encompass this broader scope, it comes with the exact same heart and vision: a steadfast commitment to connection. No matter where you or your family are starting from, you don't have to walk this path alone.
Why We Do What We Do
We believe: true healing and growth begins when we deeply connect with our children, our relationships, and ourselves—transforming life's transitions into opportunities to truly thrive.
Hello!
I’m Shayla, and I bring a warm, grounded, and unhurried heart to the therapeutic space. I believe deeply that you are the absolute expert on your own life’s journey. Because of that, I view my role not as an outside expert who is here to fix you, but as someone who has the profound honor to witness and journey alongside you as you grow.
My work across the lifespan is deeply rooted in Person-Centered Counseling, Narrative Theory, and certified training in Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT). Whether I am working with children, teens, or adults, I look at every client through a gentle, supportive, and non-directive lens. Guided by Narrative Theory, I hold the firm belief that no matter what your past looks like, you possess the innate capacity to rewrite your own story.
Additionally, I bring extensive experience working alongside neurodiverse individuals, and I love tailoring the therapeutic environment to be safe, flexible, and deeply respectful of the unique ways each person experiences the world. Whether I am connecting with a child through the natural world of play or collaborating with an adult or parent navigating a complex life transition, my goal is always the same: to create a safe, accepting space where you feel fully seen, respected, and empowered to heal at your own pace.
When I’m not in the therapy space, you can usually find me embracing life’s simpler joys—whether I’m finding balance on my yoga mat, exploring the open roads of the Pacific Northwest on my Vespa, or spending quality time outdoors with my husband and our three dogs.
Shayla Wittenberg, MS, Professional Counselor Associate and Certified Child-Centered Play Therapist™
Supervised by Jamie Watson, MA, LMFT (T1016), RPT-S™ (S2408)
