Gabriella Yates, AMFT

As a mother and in my work with children and parents, I understand the emotional and mental struggle to get our own needs met and meet our children’s needs. This feels especially stressful when our children’s moods and behaviors are consistently explosive, confrontational, or agitated and we’re having a hard time connecting with them in the ways we used to. The parent/child bond built from love and concern that we relied on to sooth conflict isn’t working and the frustration is mounting. The reason for the child’s shift in behavior and relating to you might not be clear or there is a new sibling or death of a loved one in the family. Perhaps there’s been a divorce making communication tense or a conflict that they’ve witnessed. Whatever the reason, as parents, you want connection back, everyone’s overwhelm to lesson, and you want family life to feel more manageable again.

My approach to play therapy is relational, supportive, and grounded in the understanding that children communicate through behavior, play, movement, and emotional expression before they can fully put words to their experiences to tell you what’s happening for them. Through play, curiosity, conversation, and creative exploration, I support children in expressing feelings, building emotional awareness, and finding greater safety and confidence in themselves and their relationships. I also work closely with parents to better understand the needs beneath their child’s behaviors, strengthen communication and make meaning from that place. Together, we work toward creating a play based toolbox, developing resourcing skills and feeling more connected to your child and yourself!

My training and clinical experience are grounded in early childhood development, parent-child relationships, infant and maternal mental health, and somatic psychotherapy. My background in conflict transformation and Relational Somatic Healing (RSH) informs the way I support children and families in navigating attachment challenges, emotional overwhelm, behavioral struggles, and the impact of stress and trauma on family relationships. I approach therapy as a relational and embodied process that helps children and caregivers build greater connection, emotional understanding, regulation, and trust within themselves and with one another.

Phone: 415-308-0435 Email: backtothebody@gmail.com