Amber Canales shares her powerful story of prenatal trauma, abuse, life in a shelter, and years in kinship care inside the foster system.

She describes the daily hardships, emotional and physical abuse, and the turning point when teachers, CPS, and a caring aunt helped her and her siblings find safety and stability.

This episode highlights resilience, the long road to healing, and ways listeners can support children impacted by foster care.

In this episode of Speak Up, Naomi Castillo tells her powerful story of being raised by her grandmother after her parents separated and struggled with instability. She shares memories of visits to her mother in jail, summers living with relatives, and the sacrifices her grandmother made to keep her safe.

Naomi also describes reconnecting with her paternal grandparents and father, setting boundaries with her mother, and how her grandmother’s steady love shaped her into the person she is today. A heartfelt tribute to grandparents raising grandchildren and the resilience that comes from chosen family.

In this enlightening episode, Misty sits down with Christina, a licensed professional counselor supervisor and a registered play therapist supervisor, to delve into the transformative world of play therapy. Christina shares her extensive knowledge and passion for working with children, providing invaluable insights into how play therapy serves as a powerful tool for emotional and psychological healing.

Listeners, especially kinship caregivers and foster parents, will gain a deeper understanding of how play therapy can support children who have experienced trauma. Christina discusses the importance of creating a safe and nurturing environment for children to express their emotions and experiences through play.

Join us as we explore the nuances of therapeutic play, the types of toys used, and the role of caregivers in facilitating a child's healing journey. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or simply intrigued by the process of play therapy, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and practical advice to empower you in supporting children's emotional well-being.

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Guest: Christina Villarreal-Davis, Ph.D., LPC-S, NCC, RPT-S, RST-C/T Clinical Director/Owner of Wellspring of Life Counseling and Play Therapy Center

🧠 Wellspring of Life Counseling and Play Therapy Center, PLLC Located in San Antonio, TX Offers professional counseling services for children (play therapy), adolescents, adults and couples. ➡️ Follow on Instagram @wellspringsoflifecounseling 📍 Learn more or inquire about services: wellspringoflifesa.net

📚 Referenced Experts & Concepts:

• Gary Landreth – Pioneer in Play Therapy, creator of the ACT Model (Acknowledge the feeling, Communicate the limit, Target acceptable behavior)

• Neuroplasticity – The brain’s ability to adapt and form new connections, especially in safe and healing relationships

• Mary Ainsworth & John Bowlby – Attachment theory researchers

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_6rQk7jlrc&t=86s

1. Secure Attachment – Child is upset when parent leaves but is quickly comforted when they return.

2. Insecure-Avoidant Attachment – Child avoids or ignores the caregiver; shows little emotion when parent leaves or returns.

3. Insecure-Resistant (Ambivalent) Attachment – Child is distressed when parent leaves and angry or clingy when they return.

Later, researchers (Main & Solomon) added a 4th: 4. Disorganized Attachment – Child shows confused, contradictory behaviors, often linked to trauma or inconsistent caregiving.