Where Little Hearts Find Healing

Sometimes kids say more with play than words.

When feelings are too big, confusing, or difficult to put into words, children may communicate through play. At Mending Forge, we meet children where they are—creating a safe, supportive space where they can play, connect, and heal.

Knoxville, Tennessee | In-Person & Virtual Therapy | Children & Families


 









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Maybe your child can't tell you why they're anxious.
Maybe they don't know how to explain why they're angry.
Maybe something happened that they aren't ready to talk about.
Maybe you keep thinking, "I know something is wrong, but I don't know how to help."
That's okay.

Children don't always communicate through conversation. They communicate through movement, imagination, drawing, stories, relationships—and play.
Play gives us another way to listen.













​Welcome to the Mending Forge Play Lab

A space where children can be curious, creative, expressive, silly, serious, messy, imaginative—and completely themselves. We pay attention to the whole child—their development, relationships, experiences, emotions, and the ways they communicate.

The Play Lab isn't about telling a child what to play or searching for a hidden meaning behind every toy. It's about creating a safe relationship where a child can communicate in ways that make sense to them.

We follow their lead, pay attention to their cues, and use play as a pathway toward connection, understanding, and growth.

​What Exactly Is Play Therapy?

Play therapy is a developmentally appropriate therapeutic approach that allows children to express experiences, emotions, concerns, and relationships through play when those things may be difficult to communicate with words.

Play therapy isn't just playing. It's therapy that speaks the language of childhood. The therapeutic relationship, environment, materials, and therapist's responses are intentionally used to support a child's emotional and relational development.











Who Play Can Help
Play therapy can be helpful for children experiencing a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and relational challenges.

Anxiety & Worry
Big fears, separation anxiety, school anxiety, perfectionism, etc.

Big Feelings
Anger, frustration, emotional regulation, frequent meltdowns.

Trauma & Difficult Experiences
Helping children process experiences that feel overwhelming or confusing.

Grief & Loss
Changes in family, death, separation, or other significant losses.

Transitions
Divorce, moves, new siblings, school changes, family changes.

Relationships
Friendships, siblings, parents, attachment, and social challenges.

Neurodivergent Children
A supportive, neurodiversity-affirming approach that respects each child's unique way of experiencing the world.














A Different Way of Listening

When a child is struggling, it's easy to focus on stopping the behavior.
We want to understand it first.

What might this behavior be communicating?
What might this child be experiencing?
What might this child need from the adults around them?

Understanding doesn't mean allowing every behavior. It means getting curious about what's underneath it so we can respond with greater intention and connection.

 









Hi, I'm Edie Drysdale, LCSW.

I believe children have more to say than we sometimes realize.

They might tell us through a story, a drawing, a game, a puppet, a tantrum, a quiet moment—or the same game played over and over again.

I help children find a safe way to express what they're carrying, while helping the adults who love them understand what they might be communicating.

Sometimes we talk.
Sometimes we play.
Sometimes we just sit together until they're ready.
There's no one right way to heal.

 









First, we talk with you.
You don't have to have all the answers before you reach out. You can simply tell us what you've been noticing, what's been worrying you, or what feels hard right now. We'll listen and learn more about your child and your family's needs.

Then, we get to know your child.
There's no rush. Your child gets time to feel comfortable, build trust, and get to know their therapist in a way that feels safe and natural.

Then, we play.
Your child doesn't have to sit down and explain everything. They can play, create, imagine, move, talk—or simply take their time. Play gives us another way to connect and listen.

And we work together.
You are an important part of your child’s journey. You know your child in ways no one else can, and your insight, connection, and support are invaluable. Throughout therapy, we’ll stay connected and work together to understand your child’s needs and support their growth—because helping a child is a team effort.

​Ready to Explore, Connect & Grow?

Choose what works best for your family—a FREE 20-minute consultation or your child’s first appointment.