Cynthia Riley- Certified Play Therapist
Cynthia is a Registered Counselling Therapist, Canadian Certified Counsellor, Certified Play Therapist, and Certified Play Therapist Supervisor who supports children, adolescents, parents, and families through compassionate, relationship-based care.
She has a particular interest in play therapy, trauma, attachment, emotional regulation, parent-child relationships, neurodivergent-affirming care, and supporting children experiencing behavioural or emotional challenges. Cynthia works collaboratively with caregivers to understand the whole child and create an approach that reflects each family’s experiences, relationships, strengths, and needs.
Cynthia brings a unique combination of counselling and education experience to her practice. Before becoming a therapist, she spent 20 years as a Special Education teacher, giving her extensive experience supporting children with diverse learning, developmental, behavioural, and emotional needs.
Her advanced training includes Synergetic Play Therapy, AutPlay Therapy, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), Integrative Attachment Family Therapy, Theraplay, and EMDR, including specialized EMDR training for working with children. She draws from these approaches thoughtfully based on the individual child and family rather than using a one-size-fits-all model.
Cynthia believes caregivers are an important part of the therapeutic process. She works to help parents better understand what may be happening beneath a child’s behaviour while strengthening connection, emotional safety, and the parent-child relationship.
Cynthia also provides clinical supervision for professionals working toward Certified Play Therapist designation in Canada.
Outside of work, Cynthia enjoys travelling, exploring new places around Halifax, and practicing yoga.
Cynthia provides in-person counselling and Play Therapy at Allied Therapy’s Bedford clinic and virtual support across Nova Scotia.
Services & prices
3 options across 2 treatmentsSign in to see what you’d pay
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