Gil Center for Healing and Play Home Page
Gil Center for Healing and Play Home Page
Gil Center for Healing and Play provides assessment and therapeutic services to children, adolescents, adults and families. Our team members have a unique treatment philosophy that values individual strengths, client resiliency, a contextual and systemic view, and community support. We offer positive therapy relationships and an integrative approach to therapy, with a focus on the best interests and needs of each individual client. Much of our work has been with persons who have suffered significant loss and trauma. We believe that individuals who experience traumatic injuries have a host of internal resources that allow them to re-establish hope, future-orientation, and trust in others. Our goal is to be present and supportive throughout each client’s journey to better health and wellness.

At Gil Center, we offer several treatment options, including individual, group, couples, family and parent-child therapeutic services. We work with children as young as three years old, and adults of all ages. In addition, we offer specialized services including, but not limited to, bilingual services, parent-child assessments, Boundary Project, Extended Play-Based Developmental Assessments, and consultation and training.


We are now accepting new referrals.   Click here for infomation about the referral process.
Newsletter Subscription
Click here to subscribe to our email newsletter.

Click here to read the latest newsletter, Issue 4, December 2011.
Welcome New Staff!
Gil Center is pleased to announce the hiring of intern Elayne Smith.

Teen Support Group Announcement
Gil Center announces support group for teen girl victims of sexual assault / abuse, starting February 2012. Download a flyer with more information.

Starbright 2012 Training Schedule
Dr. Gil announces Starbright's 2012 training schedule. Please click here to download a flyer that includes the schedule.

Problem Sexual Behaviors
Dr. Shaw announces consultation group for clinicians, March 2012. Please click here to download a flyer with more information.

Dr. Gil’s Starbright Training Institute
[New!] Boundary Project Training - Fall 2011
For details and registration information, please click here to download the flyer.

Consultation Corner
The resources section of our site is now divided into categories and we've added Consultation Corner, featuring questions from professionals and parents answered by Dr. Gil.

Services Information Updates
Please visit our services page for updated information on our Group Therapy and Psychological Evaluations services

Psychological Testing Services
Gil Center will be accepting referrals for comprehensive trauma-sensitive psychological evaluations of children, adolescents, and adults. Please visit the contact page to download a referral form. For more information regarding psychological testing services, please contact Dr. Jennifer Shaw directly at 703-424-4588.

New Publication!
A Book for Kids about Private Parts, Touching, Touching Problems and Other Stuff
by Eliana Gil and Jennifer Shaw
Click here for more information and a link to purchase!



Boundary Project Groups
Forming for Fall 2011:
Boys Group, Ages 8-11 years
Girls Group, Ages 5-7 years

Visit the Boundary Project page for more information about Boundary Project assessement and therapy services.
Upcoming Group Therapy Services
Adolescent Girls Group
Thursdays 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Target start date, August 2011
Please click here to download a flyer about this group service.

Divorced and Seperated Men's Group
Thursdays 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Target start date, September 7, 2011
Please click here to download a flyer about this group service.

Sexual Abuse Recovery Group for Girls
Tuesdays 5:00 – 6:15 p.m.
Target start date, January, 2012
Please click here to download a flyer about this group service.

Moms In Distress
This group is for mothers who feel overwhelmed by the stressors of their lives including traumatic incidents in their past or current lives, parenting conflicts or confusions, feelings of sadness or loss that interfere with optimal functioning, and those who need support from others experiencing similar feelings. In particular, this group will offer ideas for coping strategies, improved self-esteem, and problem-solving. In addition, several exercises for increasing feelings of hope. Participants will be given the opportunity to use expressive arts as well as learn how to quiet or calm their inside dialogues through mindfulness and positive self-talking. With Dr. Eliana Gil. Times and dates to be determined

Education and Empowerment for Parents of Teens
Saturdays 12:00 – 1:15 p.m.
Target start date, September, 2011
Please click here to download a flyer about this group service.

Groups for children, adolescents, and parents are always forming and based on referral patterns

Upcoming Starbright Training Institute Events
rainbow drawing Play Therapy Supervision (required course for RPT-S certification)

STI ongoing training scheduled confirmed for July – December 2011

Sand Therapy Integrated with Play Therapy: Theory and Application

STI ongoing training scheduled confirmed for July – December 2011

"GUEST SPEAKER SERIES" FOR 2011

Please click here for more information.