Resilience at Play

Hello, I’m Illisha Patterson, Registered Psychologist.

I offer counselling services for children, adolescents, adults, and families. My work is grounded in trauma-informed, attachment-based and neurodiversity-affirming practice. I believe that healing happens best in spaces that feel safe, respectful and human.

The name Resilience at Play reflects how I understand therapy across the lifespan. For children, resilience often shows up through play in stories, imagination, movement and creativity. Play allows children to express experiences, practice coping and build emotional strength in ways that feel natural and safe.

For adults, Resilience at Play means something a little different. It’s the space where curiosity replaces self-criticism, where old patterns can be gently explored and where new ways of coping and relating are tried out without pressure to get it right. In counselling, resilience is "at play" when we experiment with change, reflect on experiences and reconnect with strengths that may have been shaped by adversity.

Whether through play, conversation, or quiet reflection, my goal is to support resilience as it grows thoughtfully, collaboratively and at a pace that feels right for you or your child.

If you’re curious about whether counselling might be a good fit, I invite you to reach out.