Therabear has been recognized as the Best Emotional Support and Wellness Product for Children, highlighting an innovative approach to teaching emotional regulation skills to young people. The multi-sensory therapy bear represents a breakthrough in combining comfort with practical coping strategies that children can learn and apply when facing overwhelming emotions.
Developed by Dr. Julie Pelletier, a Clinical Child Psychologist with over 20 years of experience, Therabear addresses a critical gap in mental health prevention and treatment for children. Dr. Pelletier’s extensive background includes work in locked secure youth detention centers, shelters, community mental health clinics, hospital-based programs, and intensive outpatient treatment programs for teens. This diverse experience provided her with unique insights into the emotional support tools that children truly need.
The therapeutic bear features a removable heart hidden in a zipper under its arm that talks to children when squeezed, delivering calming messages and teaching coping skills in a comforting voice. The lightly weighted therapy bear is designed to help children calm down when placed on their belly, chest, or lap, providing both physical comfort and emotional guidance. Each time a child hugs the therapy heart, they hear consistent therapy steps that help them understand how to pause and choose their responses when experiencing big emotions like anxiety, anger, or sadness.
Dr. Pelletier, who is also a mother of four children and a mindset coach, created Therabear through her company Only Goodness, LLC. Her Catholic background and dedication to service inspired her mission to help children lead emotionally healthy lives. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, and Doctor of Psychology degrees, bringing both academic excellence and practical experience to the product’s development.
What sets this therapeutic tool for emotional regulation apart is its availability in several different materials that vary in color and texture, allowing each child to find a comfort object that meets their specific sensory needs. A Travel Buddy version is also available, offering a pocket-sized option that clips onto backpacks, making it practical for use in schools, churches, or any setting where carrying the larger bear might be challenging.
Currently, Therabear is being used in homes, schools, pediatric hospitals, therapy offices, dentist offices, and even on planes. The product serves a wide audience including parents, teachers, psychotherapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and school and hospital administrators. Dr. Pelletier maintains an active social media presence where she shares the importance of positive affirmations and gratitude while providing parenting tips. Looking ahead, plans include expanding the product line with additional bears, a carrying backpack, and children’s books designed to complement the therapy bear, with the goal of making Therabear a household name within the next three years.