Tara

Ms Tara Koblitz

Clinical Social Worker

I have over 20 years of experience in working with children, youth and families from various ethno-racial backgrounds and in various mental health settings including child welfare, hospital, school, and the community.

About Me

As a Registered Play Therapist, I use creative play to help children and families explore feelings. With twenty plus years' experience in diverse settings like schools and hospitals, I understand the unique needs of many family backgrounds. I offer a safe, welcoming space for children to express themselves freely. This allows them to voice complex emotions they might not yet have words for, building confidence and resilience.

Approach

With two decades alongside kids, teens and families from diverse cultures, I structure sessions around play, stories and careful attunement so emotions can emerge without pressure. I offer in-person work in Toronto and secure English-language video sessions, keeping predictable openings and gentle check-ins to help children settle. Therapy moves at each child's pace—experiments with toys, drawing, play scenarios or paced processing for bigger hurts—while caregivers get practical observations and simple strategies between meetings. This way of working tends to help families looking for steady, concrete steps toward safety and connection.
Contact Tara

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

Services


Services Offered:

  • Child Psych & Diagnostic Assessment

    Formal assessment of a child's psychological, cognitive, or emotional functioning to identify conditions and guide appropriate support.

  • Child / Adolescent Therapy

    Therapy for children and teenagers using age-appropriate methods, such as play, art, or adapted talk therapy, to address emotional and behavioural difficulties.

    Learn more about Child / Adolescent Therapy
  • Family Therapy

    A form of therapy that works with family members together to improve communication, resolve conflict, and strengthen relationships within the family system.

    Learn more about Family Therapy
  • Counseling

    A form of talk therapy providing a safe, confidential space to explore feelings, thoughts, and behaviours with a trained professional.

    Learn more about Counseling
  • Play Therapy

    A therapy for children that uses play as a natural form of communication, allowing them to express feelings and process difficult experiences.

    Learn more about Play Therapy
  • EMDR

    Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing, a therapy that uses guided eye movements to help the brain process and integrate traumatic memories.

    Learn more about EMDR

Works With:

  • Adolescents
  • Children
  • Families
  • Individuals
  • Parents
  • Under Fives
  • Adults

Area of Expertise


Scope of Practice:

  • Abuse

    Emotional, physical, or sexual mistreatment by another person that causes lasting psychological harm and disrupts a person's sense of safety.

  • Adolescent Therapy

    Therapy designed for teenagers, using age-appropriate methods to address issues like anxiety, identity, peer pressure, and family conflict.

    Learn more about Adolescent Therapy
  • Anxiety

    Persistent worry, nervousness, or fear that is disproportionate to the situation and interferes with daily functioning.

    Learn more about Anxiety
  • Relationship Issues

    Difficulties in romantic relationships, including communication problems, trust breakdowns, conflict patterns, or uncertainty about the relationship's future.

    Learn more about Relationship Issues
  • Grief & Loss

    The emotional, physical, and psychological response to the death of a loved one or another significant loss.

    Learn more about Grief & Loss
  • Child Psych & Diagnostic Assessment

    Formal assessment of a child's psychological, cognitive, or emotional functioning to identify conditions and guide appropriate support.

  • Trauma

    The lasting psychological impact of deeply distressing events, such as violence, abuse, accidents, or disasters, that overwhelm a person's ability to cope.

    Learn more about Trauma
  • Divorce Counseling

    Counselling for individuals or couples going through separation or divorce, addressing the emotional, practical, and relational dimensions.

  • Self-Esteem

    A person's overall sense of their own worth and value. When chronically low, it can drive self-doubt, avoidance, and difficulty in relationships.

    Learn more about Self-Esteem

Professional Title:

  • Clinical Social Worker

    A social worker trained to diagnose and treat mental health conditions through therapy, often in healthcare or community settings.

Qualifications


University of Toronto

Canadian Association for Play Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing International Association

Registrations


Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers

Social Work

Service Area


Playful Hearts Therapy

In-person & Online

Scarborough

Toronto, Ontario

Canada

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