Child & Teen Therapy
Your child is creative and loving. You see them as the most special person in this world, because they are. No matter how exhausting, whatever the conditions, you are supporting your child to thrive in this world.
And you think things could be a little easier for them...
You notice that they struggle more than other kids.
They show you with:
Big Emotions. Maybe they get upset easily, yell and throw tantrums, fight and it’s hard to calm them down.
Breaking Rules. Maybe they take what isn’t theirs or tell lies and you’re frightened you are losing control.
Isolating. Maybe, when things get tough, they shutdown, withdraw, and you wonder where the kid in them went.
Sadness. Perhaps they get in trouble at home and school, struggle connecting with peers and they wonder why the world can’t understand them.
You just want your child to be their fullest, playful, joyful and childlike self at school and at home.
I may be able to help.
I have worked with many children and adolescents with referrals from school-based staff and caregivers alike. I have extensive experience working with children and adolescents with special needs (who have a DSM diagnosis or an Individual Education Plan-IEP). Many of these children have also suffered from trauma, grief or caregiver loss. My approach with all the children I work with is the same: to provide warm, empathic attunement, meet them where they are and then slowly help them make sense of what is happening in their world.
With young children and pre-teens, I use play therapy in order to help each child find their voice. Play, imaginative role play, expressive arts… these are all ways that children can explore their internal worlds. With teenagers, I use a combination of talk therapy and expressive arts to help build rapport and establish a trusting and safe container. I integrate education of feeling states, normalize difficulties with “challenging” emotions, and help your child learn new coping mechanisms that they can take with them into daily life. As a brainspotting practitioner, I integrate awareness of thoughts and somatic experience into play therapy to help your child understand their unique psychophysiology.
My goal is to help your child get back on track and thrive!
You’ve got this.
And if you think I can help you, please reach out.
