Meet Rachel Hall and Bridget: How a Therapy Dog Can Help Children Heal
When many people think about counseling, they picture two people sitting in chairs talking.
But for children, healing often looks very different.
At New Ground Counseling, we believe children communicate through play, imagination, creativity, and relationship. That's why we're excited to introduce Rachel Hall, our Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Issaquah, and her registered therapy dog, Bridget.
Together, they help create an environment where children can feel safe enough to explore difficult emotions and begin the healing process.
Meet Rachel & Bridget
Rachel has a special passion for walking alongside children and families experiencing anxiety, grief, difficult life transitions, emotional regulation challenges, and attachment concerns.
Alongside her is Bridget—a gentle, registered therapy dog whose calming presence often helps children settle into the counseling room long before words are ever spoken.
🎥 Watch Rachel share her story and meet Bridget:
Why Include a Therapy Dog?
Walking into a counseling office can feel intimidating for anyone—but especially for a child.
A friendly therapy dog can help make that first experience feel much less overwhelming.
Research continues to show that animal-assisted therapy can support children's emotional well-being in a variety of ways, including helping them:
🐶 Feel safe and welcomed in a new environment
💛 Reduce anxiety before and during sessions
😌 Experience a calming, regulating presence
🤝 Build trust with the therapist more naturally
❤️ Feel accepted without fear of judgment
🎯 Stay engaged and participate more fully in therapy
🌱 Practice emotional regulation during difficult moments
🧸 Receive comfort during experiences of sadness, grief, or fear
For some children, Bridget becomes a reassuring companion. For others, she simply helps create an atmosphere where it feels a little easier to relax, play, and open up.
Why Play Therapy?
Children don't always have the vocabulary to explain what's happening inside them.
Instead, they naturally communicate through play.
Whether they're building, drawing, imagining, creating stories, or interacting with toys, children often reveal emotions and experiences that would be difficult to express with words alone.
Child-centered play therapy gives children the freedom to work through those experiences in developmentally appropriate ways, while Rachel gently joins them with curiosity, compassion, and clinical expertise.
Rather than asking children to communicate like adults, play therapy meets them where they already are.
A New Home for Child Therapy in Issaquah
Rachel and Bridget see clients at our new Child Therapy Clinic in downtown Issaquah.
New Ground Counseling
425 E Sunset Way, Lower Level
Issaquah, WA 98027
The clinic was intentionally designed to help children and families experience safety, warmth, and hope from the moment they walk through the door.
We'd Love to Meet Your Family
Every child deserves a place where they feel seen, understood, and cared for.
If you think Rachel and Bridget might be a good fit for your child or family, we'd be honored to walk alongside you.
Learn more about Rachel, watch her introduction video, or schedule an appointment today.