Ilona Szalaty,
Student Intern

Supervised by Robyn D Reyna, LPC-S, RPT-S

Play Therapist in Training

Many children spend their days trying to fit into environments that were not built for their minds or their way of being. They mask, they perform, and they work hard to appear fine, even when they feel overwhelmed. In therapy with me, they do not have to pretend. This is a space where they can let go of survival mode, unmask, and learn what it feels like to grow as their genuine selves.

As an immigrant who has lived in the Middle East and Africa, and as a parent of a third culture child, I value the many ways identity and experience shape how we move through the world. I welcome children and families as they are and honor their stories, strengths, and ways of communicating.

My background in education and special needs support has allowed me to work closely with neurodivergent children and families. I understand the pressure they face to adjust, to fit in, and to keep up. My goal is to create a place where those demands can soften, and a child’s true self can come forward without fear of judgment.

My approach is child centered, strength based and rooted in play. Play allows children to explore, express emotion, and imagine possibilities. It becomes a pathway out of masking and into authenticity, confidence, and growth. I am completing my master's in clinical Mental Health Counseling and training in play therapy while practicing under supervision.

Kathleen works with: