Empathetic...Authentic...Genuine Care
Preferred Choice Healthcare Newsletter
A Message from Dr. James Powell
After years of clinical experience in both the public and private
sector, I but realized that therapeutic counseling for individuals
that are experiencing mental health and substance abuse issues
should be client directed, based solely on the needs of the clients.
This was in direct opposition to the standard way of providing therapy which is
described as the “attempted remediation of a health problem, usually following a
diagnosis.”
I knew that I wanted to provide client care based upon core values that addressed
every aspect of a person’s life. As a result, in 2010, Preferred Choice Healthcare
opened its doors. We’ve come a long way in the last 6 years! The PCH team is
humbled and honored to provide professional services to our clients.
OUR SERVICES

Individual Therapy
2nd Quarter 2016
The mission of Preferred Choice
Healthcare, Inc. is to provide
professional services to individuals suffering difficulties arising
from mental health and substance use related concerns in a
holistic framework based upon
the values of respect, integrity,
and dignity.
Preferred Choice
Healthcare strives to communicate
these
core
values
by
demonstrating Empathetic, Authentic and Genuine Care in all of

Family and Couples Counseling
our interactions in our efforts of

Play Therapy
meeting your unique needs.

School Based Outpatient Therapy (Cleveland and Rutherford Counties Only)

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) - Trauma Focused

Trauma Focused Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

DWI Assessment (Shelby and Rutherfordton Only)

ADETS and DWI Treatment (Shelby Only)

Anger Management

Sexual Offender Evaluation and Treatment (Shelby and Forest City Only

Medication Evaluation and Management (Rutherfordton Only)

Psychological and Specialty Evaluations (Rutherfordton, Marion and Shelby Only)

Substance Abuse Services
In This Issue

Our Services

Play Therapy

Our Locations
WHAT IS PLAY THERAPY?
By: Jessie Dawson
There are a number of definitions for play therapy used in the mental health community. According to the Association
for Play therapy, play therapy is defined as "the systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process
wherein trained play therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and
achieve optimal growth and development" (Why Play Therapy?, 2015). Play Therapy International defines play therapy as
“variety of play and creative arts techniques used to alleviate chronic, mild and moderate psychological and emotional conditions
in children that are causing behavioral problems and/or are preventing children from realizing their potential” (A Definition of Play
Therapy, 2008). Although there are many variations of play therapy, the foundation for all descriptions include similar features.
Play therapy can be defined as a combination of mental health, educational, and developmental interventions designed to assist
children in communicating their needs, adjusting to their environment, problem solving, and changing negative behaviors through
the use of play (VanFleet, 2013).
To better understand the importance of play therapy in assisting children to
overcome their problems, we must first look at the importance of play for children in
general. Children gain great knowledge through play. Play is the primary way children
learn about the world, understand how things work, learn how to express their thoughts
and feelings, assist in developing their physical and mental skills,
as well as develop
effective social skills and bonds (VanFleet, 2013). Play is also needed for
healthy brain development (Hartwell-Walker, 2015). Play helps stimulate brain
connections needed for gross and fine motor skills. Research states that play
strengthens the executive functioning of the brain that allows people to manage time and attention, to plan, to organize, manage
emotions, enhance self-control, and improve decision-making. Play allows the child to use his/her imagination thus enhancing
creativity and the ability for the child to see and understand other people’s perspectives (Hartwell-Walker, 2015). Play is extreme-
ly important in child development, thus play utilized therapeutically allows for a stronger connection to the child’s world. Using
play in therapy allows the child to express him/herself in ways that are comfortable and unique to the child.
Play is the language of children - “Toys are used like words by children, and play is their language” (Landreth, 2012, p. 12). A child’s world consists of concrete realities and their experiences are communicated through play; therefore, children must be approached, understood,
and accepted from a developmental perspective (Landreth, 2012). Play therapy creates a
safe environment for children to express themselves, explore the world, try new things, and
solve problems (VanFleet, 2013). Play therapy often uses toys, role play, and art to assist the
child in processing past or current trauma, increase confidence or self-esteem, establish a sense of identity, and communicate
thoughts and feelings appropriately. Through the use of toys and play, play therapy allows the child to manipulate, change, and
process their experiences in a concrete way. Play therapy is most appropriate for children ages 2-12 years old.
Below are areas that play therapy may be helpful in treating your child:
Anger, Depression, Anxiety, ADD or ADHD, ODD, Trauma (Abuse or Neglect), Self-Esteem,
Healthy Attachment or Bonding to Caregivers, Behavior Management
ABOUT JESSIE DAWSON
Jessie is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate. Jessie received both a Master’s Degree and Education Specialist’s
(M.A./Ed.S.) degree in counseling from Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina. She completed her undergraduate studies
from James Madison University in Virginia, majoring in psychology with a focus on family studies.
Jessie’s area of interest include working with children, adolescents, young adults and their families focusing on a wide range of
issues including depression, anxiety, stress, ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, adjustment issues, stress management,
social skills building, grief and loss, relationship difficulties, domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, as well as identity
issues.
Jessie strongly believes in positive psychology in which she highlights and utilizes the client’s strengths in order to promote self
-awareness. Jessie often uses play therapy as a resource for working with children.
Works Cited
A Definition of Play Therapy. (2008). Retrieved June 7, 2015, from Pay Therapy
International: http://www.playtherapy.org/playtherapydefinition1.html
Hartwell-Walker, M. (2015). The Benefits of Play. Retrieved 2015, from PsychCentral:
http://psychcentral.com/lib/the-benefits-of-play/
Landreth, G. L. (2012). Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship (Vol. 3). New York City, NY:
Routledge.
VanFleet, R. (2013). Parents. Retrieved June 7, 2015, from Family Enhancement and Play
Therapy Center: www.play-therapy.com/parents.html
Why Play Therapy? (2015). Retrieved from Association for Play Therapy:
www.a4pt.org/?page=WhyPlayTherapy
Empathetic...Authentic...Genuine Care
OUR LOCATIONS
1243-4 E DIXON BLVD SHELBY NC 28152 (704-487-4000)

Currently accepting Medicaid, Medicare, NC Health Choice, self pay and most private insurance providers
179 W MAIN STREET SUITE 132 FOREST CITY NC 28043 (828-248-4403)

Currently accepting Medicaid, Medicare, NC Health Choice, self pay and most private insurance providers
182 W COURT STREET RUTHERFORDTON NC 28139 (828-287-7806)

Currently accepting Medicare, self pay and most private insurance providers
1155 N MAIN STREET SUITE 14B MARION NC 28752 (828-287-7806)

Currently accepting Medicare, self pay and most private insurance providers
DO YOU HAVE A CONCERN OR COMPLAINT?
Please complete a Client Comment Form, notify the front desk staff or call us at 704-487-4000 and
ask to speak to the Quality Management Director. It is our policy:
POLICY: Preferred Choice Healthcare, Inc. shall assure that any client who believes that their
rights or the rights of another have been violated by Preferred Choice Healthcare, Inc. shall have access to a process through which the grievance will be fairly considered and appropriately acted upon.
Because Preferred Choice Healthcare, Inc. views the monitoring of complaints as a component of
quality improvement, Preferred Choice Healthcare, Inc. shall give high priority to being responsive to
appropriate requests for help. Preferred Choice Healthcare, Inc. will establish a process whereby all
client complaints are properly reported, investigated and acted upon.
Quality Management Director:
704-487-4000