WELCOME
The Emotional Playground is a space for children, teens, and adults
to explore, express, and heal
through connection, creativity, and care.
About Us
🌱 Welcome to The Emotional Playground 🌱
The Emotional Playground is a healing space where individuals, couples, and communities are gently supported on their journey toward emotional well-being, inner alignment, and authentic connection.
Our work integrates child life, emotional support, Nonviolent Communication, Sandtray, and Montessori principles to create experiences that are grounded, compassionate, and transformational.
We offer:
✨ Individual and group sessions
✨ Workshops and retreats for emotional healing and growth
✨ Support for children, adolescents, adults, parents, guides, and caregivers
✨ A nurturing space for those walking the path of self-awareness and community care
Our approach is embodied, creative, and rooted in the belief that when we feel safe to play, explore, and express, healing naturally unfolds.
Meet
Ana Barrio
Ana has been a Certified Child Life Specialist for 10 years through the Association of Child Life Professionals. With over 20 years of experience in the field of education, Ana is a Special Education Teacher and an Assistant to Infancy certified Montessori Guide through the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). She is also certified by AMI in the Dementia, Disability, and Ageing Program. Ana holds a Master’s in Education from Loyola University in Maryland.
Her commitment to emotional well-being is reflected in her extensive training in Nonviolent Communication under Marshall Rosenberg, as well as her certifications through Paul Ferrini to facilitate transformative programs such as Healing Your Life, Keys to the Kingdom, and the 12 Steps of Forgiveness. Ana is a certified Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator and has completed the Compassionate Inquiry Professional Training based on the work of Dr. Gabor Maté. She has also explored various holistic healing modalities including Pranic Healing, Access Consciousness, and SAAMA. Ana is deeply passionate about supporting individuals through their emotional healing and personal growth journeys.
Meet
Peggy Schuster
Peggy has been a Certified Child Life Specialist since 1997, recognized by the Association of Child Life Professionals. She holds a Master of Arts in Counseling and brings a wealth of experience supporting children and families through life's transitions and challenges. Her training includes completion of the core curriculum in sand tray therapy through the Sand Tray Training Institute of New Mexico, and she is certified in Death and Grief Studies from the Center for Loss and Life Transition in Fort Collins, Colorado. Additionally, Peggy is a certified Trauma and Loss Consultant and Schools Specialist through the National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children. She is also a registered provider with Wonders and Worries and a certified Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator. Peggy's work is grounded in a deep passion for guiding children and their families through emotional and developmental growth with compassion and care.
Why Emotional Well-being?
Self-Awareness
Understanding and managing your emotions is crucial for developing self-awareness and personal growth.
Resilience
Emotional well-being enhances resilience, helping individuals navigate life's challenges with strength and optimism.
Empathy
Exploring emotions fosters empathy, allowing individuals to connect and understand others on a deeper level.
Relationships
Emotional well-being positively impacts relationships, promoting healthier and more meaningful connections.
Stress Management
Developing emotional intelligence aids in managing stress and promoting overall mental wellness.
Mindfulness
Practicing mindfulness is essential for emotional well-being, promoting a sense of calm and clarity in daily life.
Services
Community Stories
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Contact Us
Contact
Address
230 Thunderbird Dr. Suite O
El Paso, TX 79912