Therapy for your Child

Working with children in a therapeutic setting is my absolute joy and highest responsibility. Nothing is as panic-inducing as when your child starts to struggle with their mental health, and are struggling with relationships, school, play, or enjoying daily life. I have worked with children in a therapeutic setting in school for many years, and have experience working with children who are diagnosed with ADHD, ODD, a variety of Anxiety disorders, OCD, depression, trauma, and those children with a background of abuse and neglect. I believe that children first and foremost need to feel safe and secure. I provide enthusiastic unconditional positive regard in our first sessions together, as I assess their ability to cooperate with adults in therapeutic play. After my assessment period, I create a treatment plan along with their parent/caregiver, and help the child understand our goals and give their input to their own perception of the presenting problem. I believe that for a child to succeed in therapy, a parent or supportive caregiver’s involvement is vital. You are their number one resource and their primary attachment, and my job is to use the parent/child relationship as an important way to heal/make progress. I meet with the child individually, conjointly with the parent, and with the parent individually to discuss parenting techniques/review their progress. I use many play therapy techniques, and support our goals through those activities in session, along with Acceptance and Commitment techniques, Trust-Based Relational techniques, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.