Specialized treatment for your child’s mental health.
Services
I provide individual therapy and behavioral support to children ages 4-17, as well as young adults 18-21 who are navigating transitions & adjustment to adulthood. I also work with parents to provide coaching and I can consult with teachers, doctors, psychiatrists, and any other member of your child’s treatment team. I utilize a variety of treatment modalities in my work with young people, incorporating evidence=based practices with somatic techniques to bring about the most positive impact on your child’s mental health.
Talk therapy
Talking isn’t just for adults! Teenagers have a lot to say, and sometimes they can feel like they aren’t being listened to or taken seriously. I use humor and curiosity to engage with teenagers and learn about their inner world. I want to know what they do for fun, what they like to read or listen to, who their friends are - anything they want to share with me! In addition to talking, I use things like card games, workbooks, art activities, sensory items, and other techniques to keep kids engaged and take the pressure off of sitting and talking. I also find that kids of all ages enjoy getting out of the office setting - some of my best sessions have happened on a basketball court or while walking around a high school track! I happily offer outdoor sessions where we can walk, play, and move around while we talk.
Brainspotting
Brainspotting (BSP) is a powerful, brain-based trauma therapy that uses eye positions to access the regions of the brain where traumatic memories are stored. By identifying and using relevant points in a child’s visual field, the brain and body’s natural self-healing abilities are utilized to identify, process, and release the core neurophysiological sources of trauma. Unprocessed trauma can cause symptoms including physical pain, dissociation/numbing, disconnection, anxiety, insomnia, and flashbacks. These symptoms are difficult to eliminate through talk therapy or CBT alone because talking uses conscious, neocortical thinking. As a trained BSP practitioner, I can bypass a child’s conscious thinking to access the deeper regions of the brain & body where traumatic experiences are held. BSP is a new, increasingly sought-after treatment modality that has been used with great success on survivors of trauma including children and family members of the Sandy Hook mass shooting. More information can be found at https://brainspotting.com
CBT
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most well-researched and widely used types of therapy. CBT aims to improve mental health by exploring the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. By teaching children ways to identify unhelpful thought patterns, we can challenge automatic negative thoughts and begin replacing them with more realistic, objective thoughts. This in turn has a positive effect on mood and behavior. I often incorporate relaxation techniques, mindfulness strategies, journaling, and mood tracking to improve emotional regulation. I am also trained in Trauma-Focused CBT, which is an effective short-term model to assist children experiencing emotional or behavioral difficulties associated with single, multiple, and complex trauma experiences.
Play therapy
Play is the language of young children. It is how they express their feelings, communicate their thoughts, and work through experiences. I use a combination of child-centered play therapy, directive play therapy, and social skill building techniques in my work with kids. Play therapy may look like “just playing” from the outside, but play that is facilitated in a therapeutic environment can help kids work through stressful experiences, develop insight, learn creative problem solving, and become more self-aware. I find that using play is a beneficial approach for most children no matter what specific issue brings them to my office. I have also found that directive play and social skills work assists children who struggle with attention and impulsivity. It’s also not just for very young kids - plenty of older children and teens can benefit from the healing power of play! Children who may be fearful or uncertain about coming to therapy will quickly feel comfortable when they see that I speak their language of play. I use a variety of toys, games, stuffed animals, and sensory items to facilitate play.
Kids brighten the world around them every day. If something is interfering with your child’s light, I want to help.
Reach out to me so we can work together to repair, rebuild, restore, and strengthen.