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Prairie Firefly Therapy
Kerrilynn Behrman (MACP, CCC, CPT)
Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology
Canadian Certified Counsellor
Certified Play Therapist
Specializing in Children, Youth & Adults
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Kerrilynn is a Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. She holds a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology and is also a Certified Play Therapist with the Canadian Association for Play Therapy.
Kerrilynn specializes in using play therapy and has 30 years experience counselling children and youth in Northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Kerrilynn has additional training in play therapy, theraplay, Dyadic developmental psychotherapy (DDP), Solution-focused therapy, Circle of security, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), and trauma-based interventions. She is trained in basic EMDR (Eye movement desensitization re-processing). Kerrilynn is one of the only NME (Neurosequential Model of Education) trainer's in Manitoba which focuses on training professionals on trauma, assessing children and customizing approaches based on neuroscience. She also has completed her training in the Safe and Sound Protocol which is a therapeutic auditory intervention that targets the autonomic nervous system to help clients feel regulated, safe and builds connection.
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Kerrilynn has provided presentations to professionals, children and their families on various topics, including trauma. She has spear headed unique approaches to helping children in educational settings such as therapeutic running groups and the building of therapeutic schools that use a trauma sensitive approach.
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Services Available:
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Individual, group and family counselling sessions. Specializing in children/youth and a play based approach.
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Day long intensive therapeutic children's groups (children coping with divorce, anxiety, etc.)
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Basic EMDR
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Professional presentations and consultations helping organizations become trauma-informed and meet the unique needs of children.
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What is Play Therapy?
Play therapy is an effective treatment for children experiencing a wide range of behavioral, social and emotional problems.
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Children are not always able to express themselves through words and may "act out". Through the use of play in a safe playroom with a caring therapist, the child is able to express themselves and process their experiences and emotions.
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Play Therapy:
Facilitates healing from past stressful or traumatic experiences.
Allows the expression of feelings.
Encourages creative thoughts and the development of healthy coping skills.
Enables the child to communicate concerns and encourages the development of new behaviors.
Available Services & Treatments
Theraplay & DDP
Theraplay is a special type of play therapy that strengthens the parent-child relationship. The parent and child engage in a series of structured activities that help the parent regulate and connect with their child. Theraplay is particularly beneficial for children in foster or adoptive families, or who have attachment concerns. It is beneficial for children who are acting out, or are shy and withdrawn, children who have experienced trauma, or on the autism spectrum. It's goal is to strengthen the parent-child relationship in four areas; nurture, structure, engagement and challenge.
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Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) is a treatment approach to trauma, loss and other stressful experiences a child may have experienced. It is an attachment based approach that assists the child to explore, express and resolve concerns in a safe environment.
Intensive Therapeutic Play Groups
Prairie Firefly offers online and in person therapeutic group sessions that take a play based approach for children aged 6-12.
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Topics include:
Coping with Separation & Divorce: A Play based approach.
Coping with Anxiety
Dealing with Loss & Bereavement
Girl's Empowerment
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing)
EMDR is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been an effective treatment for trauma and many other mental health problems.
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EMDR has helped millions of people, across all ages, relieve many types of psychological stress.
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EMDR can be used for:
PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
Trauma
Panic Attacks, Phobias & Anxiety
Complicated Grief
Pain disorders
Personality Disorders
Stress Reduction
Addictions
NME (Neurosequential Model of Education) Trainer
The Neurosequential Model of Education (NME) is a framework designed by Dr. Bruce Perry that customizes educational and clinical interventions to support healthy brain development in children, particularly those who have experienced trauma. ​
Key aspects:
Training educators and professionals about brain development and trauma.
Implementing neuroscientific principals in the classroom or home environment that enhance learning and emotional regulation.
Assessing child brain development through the use of "functional maps" or "mini maps" and customizing treatment approaches based on their individual neurodevelopmental profile.
