When a flower doesn’t bloom you fix the environment in which it grows, not pick the flower”
– Alexander Den Heijer
Screaming, hitting, talking back, shutting down, difficulty listening and following directions, and getting into trouble at school. Sound familiar? Are you a parent feeling defeated, overwhelmed, out of ideas of what to do next? These are common concerns parents share with me in therapy. Rest assured, you are not alone. Take a deep breath and know that together we will start to turn things around for your family.
When I work with children, I am also working with the family. This means that we may do some family sessions and/or individual sessions with your child, depending on what his/her needs are. I believe that the parent is the expert on their child and that change occurs and is strengthened within the context of the relationship the child has with you. The family is a place to strengthen, encourage, support and heal one another. This means you are the most important part of the therapy process.
**Please note, therapy is not provided for court mandated cases or families involved in custody hearings, custody/access disputes, visitation, or divorce proceedings. These matters are not within our scope of practice. I will be happy to provide you with a list of referrals that can help you if needed.**
Your child may benefit from therapy if you have observed the following:
- Angry
- Acting out
- Difficulty focusing or concentrating
- Disruptive behavior at school or home
- Defiant
- Clingy behavior
- Changes in mood
- Prolonged sadness
- Shy
- Withdrawn
What will therapy be like for my child?
The first few sessions are spent getting to know you and your child. Before any change can occur, a relationship must be built with you and your child. A comprehensive clinical assessment will be completed during the first session and I will continue to gather information from your family over the next couple of sessions. From there, we will develop a treatment plan that will guide our time together. Therapy sessions are spent working on the goals that are important to you and your family. I will incorporate fun and creative approaches into our work together depending on what you and your child’s preferences are.
Not sure how to explain counseling to your child? Click here for some tips.
Want to understand more about how Theraplay works in a session? Click here to read my blog.
Modalities:
- Theraplay principles {to learn more click here}
- Play Therapy principles
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT)
- Sandtray Therapy {for a video explanation of how and why this works, click here}
Creative Approaches:
- Drawing
- Painting
- Clay & Play Dough
- Playing music
- Movement
- Books
- Games
- Journaling
