About

Veronica Tovar

LCSW, RPT, ITMH, RYT-200

Licensed Clinical Social Worker | Registered Play Therapist™ | Certified in Infant & Toddler Mental Health (ITMH) | Trauma-Informed Yoga Practitioner

Veronica Tovar is a Modesto native and a Registered Play Therapist™ (RPT™) dedicated to supporting children, adolescents, and their families from birth through young adulthood. Growing up in the Central Valley, Veronica developed a deep commitment to serving her community and creating a safe, nurturing space where children can explore emotions, build resilience, and develop coping skills through the natural language of play.

Veronica earned her bachelor’s degree in Criminology, Law, and Society from the University of California, Irvine, where she discovered her passion for working with children during an internship supporting women and their children in recovery. She pursued this calling further by completing her Master of Social Work (MSW) at California State University, Stanislaus, gaining extensive training in evidence-based interventions and play therapy modalities.

Seeing the growing need for early intervention and support for families with very young children, Veronica chose to expand her clinical focus and completed certification in Infant and Toddler Mental Health through Portland State University. This advanced training deepened her understanding of the earliest stages of emotional and relational development and how the caregiver–child relationship shapes regulation and resilience. Integrating this perspective into her practice has enhanced her ability to support not only infants and toddlers but children of all ages—recognizing that the foundations of emotional health begin in early connection and continue to influence growth throughout childhood and adolescence.

As a Registered Play Therapist™, Veronica integrates multiple specialized play therapy approaches to meet each child’s unique needs, including Child-Centered Play Therapy, Synergetic Play Therapy, AutPlay Therapy, FirstPlay® Therapy, and TraumaPlay® Therapy. In addition, she incorporates evidence-based techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Trauma-Informed Yoga. These combined approaches support children and teens in developing emotional regulation, social skills, self-confidence, and adaptive coping strategies in a developmentally appropriate way.

Veronica’s approach is child-centered, strength-based, and collaborative, working closely with families to create individualized treatment plans that honor each child’s personality, needs, and pace of growth. Through her expertise as an LCSW and Registered Play Therapist™, and her integrative understanding of development from infancy through adolescence, she strives to help children and families heal, grow, and thrive—one playful moment at a time.

Connection Beyond the Office

We love being part of our community and believe that connection extends beyond the therapy room. Breathing Through Counseling & Wellness Services regularly participates in and supports local events, offering education, outreach, and resources to promote mental wellness for all ages. We also share insights, tips, and updates on upcoming events through our Instagram and Facebook pages — we invite you to follow along for the latest news and ways to connect with us in the community.