Shawny Sena, LMFT

PLAYFUL THERAPY FOR OLD SOULS
(that are Super Gay).

Child Therapy in White Bear Lake, MN


Child Therapy in White Bear Lake, MN | Pediatric Mental Health Support
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Finding the right support for your child can feel overwhelming. Many parents want a safe place where their child can talk, grow, and feel understood. At Shawny Sena Therapy, we offer child therapy in White Bear Lake, MN that helps children and teens feel seen, valued, and supported. Our work centers on building trust, encouraging emotional growth, and supporting healthy family relationships.
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As a family therapist and child therapist, Shawny Sena creates a warm and inclusive space for every family. Whether your child is dealing with anxiety, school struggles, big emotions, family changes, or identity questions, therapy can help them feel grounded and confident.
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Compassionate Child Therapy in White Bear Lake, MN
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Children need a safe and caring environment to express their feelings. That is why child therapy in White Bear Lake, MN at Shawny Sena Therapy focuses on connection and understanding. Through age-appropriate tools, gentle conversations, and play-based methods, kids learn how to manage stress, solve problems, and communicate more clearly.
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Shawny is both a marriage and family therapist and an experienced play therapist, helping young clients explore emotions through play, art, and storytelling. These methods make child therapy easier for children who may struggle to talk about their feelings directly.

Child Therapy in White Bear Lake, MN


Support for Families and Parents
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During child therapy in White Bear Lake, MN, parents are an important part of the healing process. Shawny works as a therapist for parents, offering guidance and support to help caregivers understand their child’s needs.
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Many parents come in with questions about behavior, emotions, or family changes. As a family therapist, Shawny helps families create healthier communication, stronger bonds, and more consistent routines. When families grow together, children thrive.
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Adolescent Therapy in a Safe and Inclusive Setting
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Teens face unique challenges as they grow, and child therapy in White Bear Lake, MN also includes specialized adolescent therapy. Teens may struggle with school pressure, friendships, identity, or mental health concerns. Shawny is an experienced adolescent therapist, offering a calm and welcoming space where teens can share openly.
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Shawny also works closely with LGBTQ+ teens and LGBTQ+ families. As an LGBTQ+ therapist, Shawny provides support that is respectful, inclusive, and centered on each teen’s lived experience.
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Affirming Therapy for Transgender Children and Their Families
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Many families seek child therapy in White Bear Lake, MN because they want support that understands gender identity. Shawny is an affirming and knowledgeable therapist for trans children, offering gentle guidance to help kids explore who they are in a safe and respectful environment.
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Parents also receive support. As a therapist for parents and marriage and family therapist, Shawny helps parents of transgender children navigate questions, emotions, and decisions with confidence and care.
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This work includes:
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Affirming therapy
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Transgender child therapy
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Support for identity exploration
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Education and emotional support for families
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Tools for healthy communication
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Every child deserves to feel safe and respected. Every family deserves compassionate guidance as they grow.
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Inclusive Therapy for Every Child and Every Family
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When seeking child therapy in White Bear Lake, MN, families often want a therapist who welcomes all identities, backgrounds, and experiences. Shawny Sena offers inclusive therapy designed for a wide range of needs.
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As an inclusive therapist, Shawny supports:
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Children experiencing anxiety, sadness, or stress
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Families adjusting to change
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Parents seeking guidance or coping tools
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Children who need play therapy
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Teens looking for identity or emotional support
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Families who want better communication
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No matter what brings your family in, therapy is always tailored to your child’s age, strengths, and needs.
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How Play Therapy Helps Children Grow With Child Therapy in White Bear Lake, MN
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For many families choosing child therapy in White Bear Lake, MN, play therapy is a powerful way to help children express feelings. As a trained play therapist, Shawny uses toys, art, movement, and stories to help kids communicate more easily.
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Play therapy helps with:
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Managing strong emotions
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Building problem-solving skills
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Boosting confidence
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Improving social skills
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Healing after stressful situations
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Through play, children learn they are safe, capable, and understood.
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Strengthening Families Through Connection
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Healthy families grow through communication and support. With child therapy in White Bear Lake, MN, Shawny also offers family therapy when families want to improve relationship patterns or create a calmer home environment.
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As a marriage and family therapist, Shawny helps parents and children learn how to listen to each other, express needs clearly, and build stronger emotional connections.
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Why Families Choose Shawny Sena For Child Therapy in White Bear Lake, MN
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Families choose Shawny because therapy is:
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Warm and welcoming
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Age-appropriate
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Inclusive of all identities
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Supportive of LGBTQ+ therapy needs
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Based in real connection
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Focused on family well-being
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Respectful of every child’s experience
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When you choose child therapy in White Bear Lake, MN, you want someone who listens, cares, and supports your family with kindness. Shawny brings years of experience working with children, teens, parents, and LGBTQ+ families, helping each person feel understood.


Child Therapy in White Bear Lake, MN

FAQ: Child Therapy in White Bear Lake, MN
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What issues can child therapy help with?
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Child therapy in White Bear Lake, MN can help with anxiety, behavior challenges, school stress, big emotions, identity questions, family changes, and more. Shawny also supports transgender children and LGBTQ+ teens.
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Do parents take part in the therapy process?
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Yes. As a family therapist, Shawny includes parents in sessions when helpful and offers support through parent therapy.
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What is play therapy?
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Play therapy is a method used by a play therapist to help children express feelings through toys, art, and movement instead of only talking.
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Do you offer support for transgender children and LGBTQ+ teens?
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Yes. Shawny is an LGBTQ+ therapist and provides affirming therapy for transgender children, LGBTQ+ teens, and their families.
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How do I know if my child needs therapy?
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If your child is struggling with emotions, behavior, identity, or relationships, child therapy in White Bear Lake, MN can provide guidance, support, and tools for healthy growth.


Hi, I’m Shawny
Here’s what I promise to bring to our work:
Authenticity.
Cheesiness.
Listening with my whole spirit.
A big laugh.
Deep questions. Like, really deep.
The courage to go there, wherever your there is.
An eye for context. Physical, emotional, financial, historical, political.
A commitment to undoing the legacy of white supremacy in my body.
A challenge when you need it.
A refuge when you don’t.
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