Empower Play/ Formally Creative Wellness

For some children with OCD, the need to keep checking, fixing, or repeating something until their brain finally says it’s “okay” is part of everyday life.

They often know it doesn’t make sense. They don’t enjoy it. But the anxiety feels so overwhelming that stopping can seem impossible.

Behind behaviors that may look “silly” or “stubborn” is often a child doing their very best to quiet a brain that won’t let them rest. 🧠

One 11-year-old described OCD through this drawing of a koala who feels frustrated and sad because she can never get her hair just right, no matter how many times she fixes it.🖌️🎨

Sometimes, the most powerful way to understand OCD is to see it through the eyes of a child living with it. 💛

Happy Monday! 🌈 (a day late)
Coffee? ✔️
Markers? ✔️
A Nerf dart in the coffee? Apparently also ✔️😂

Just another day at Empower Play 💛.

Happy Friday!!! 💛

We spend our days helping kids grow and heal, but every now and then, we make time to fill our own cups too. Team bonding looks good on us. 🕶️☀️

This sweet girl had a special request on her birthday wish list this year… an Empower Play hat. 🧢🥹

There are moments that remind us why we do what we do, and this was definitely one of them.

Being trusted to walk alongside children and families is the greatest privilege. Watching our kiddos feel connected to Empower Play, even outside of therapy, is something special. 💛

Happy Birthday to this incredible kiddo! 🎂🎉

The full segment from NBC 26!

We are so grateful 💛

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUq7EHscha0

Thank you, Jessica, and NBC 26, for taking the time to highlight the growing need for developmentally appropriate pediatric mental health services in Brown County. 💛

At Empower Play, we believe children heal best when therapy meets them where they are through connection, creativity, and the power of play. Our therapists are passionate about creating a safe, welcoming space where children and families can grow, heal, and thrive.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to share our mission with our community and help raise awareness about the importance of early, developmentally appropriate mental health care.

Read the story here:


De Pere clinic helps families heal through play A De Pere play therapy clinic, Empower Play, is helping families bond and heal through toys and games.

It is with heavy hearts that we share the loss of our beloved therapy dog, Summer.

Our hearts are broken, but we are incredibly grateful for the time we had with her and the countless lives she touched.

Thank you, Summer, for your gentle spirit, your unwavering love, and the healing you brought to so many. You will always be a part of the Empower Play family and will be deeply missed 💛.

The last workday before a holiday got Summer like… 😴

Even therapy dogs need a little extra recharge. We’ll be back soon with full batteries, wagging tails, and plenty of play. 💛

Have a safe and relaxing 4th of July from all of us at Empower Play! 🐾

This kiddo carries the blanket that belongs to his infant foster to adopt sibling. A sibling who was removed from the family home following a false allegation.

When families say “yes” to fostering and respite, they open their hearts and homes to children who need safety. What many people don’t realize is that they also open themselves to investigations and accusations. Even when allegations are ultimately found to be untrue, the emotional toll on foster families can be immense.

Too often, foster families find themselves navigating one of the hardest seasons of their lives with little guidance or support. Licensing agencies are unable to communicate with families during an open investigation, leaving families feeling isolated during the time they need help and support the most.

Foster families deserve support, compassion, and resources when placements are going well, but especially when they’re facing the unimaginable.

This is one of the many reasons Empower Play is committed to building programs that support foster and adoptive families through every season, not just the easy ones 💛.

Today’s session included water play, one very determined kid, and one therapist who left completely soaked.

Was it messy? Absolutely.
Was it worth it? Every single splash.

Because when children feel safe enough to play, they’re also safe enough to heal. And if that means sacrificing dry clothes (and shoes 😉), we’ll take that trade every time.