Children
I am passionate about the work I do with children. My large, fully-stocked playroom provides a cozy and fun space for children to explore their feelings and engage with the world around them. Whether you find me playing dress-up, hiding in a play tent, or using puppets to tell a story, I enjoy immersing myself in my clients’ experiences. When I work with your child, one thing will be clear: I absolutely love helping children and building connections with each of my young clients.
Working with children is not a one-size-fits-all approach. The method I use depends on the individual characteristics, abilities, and strengths of each child. In my work with children, I incorporate many tools, including:
Play therapy interventions
Children often struggle to express their feelings through words; for children, their natural language is play. When children utilize toys and engage in playful activities, they are able to explore their inner worlds, process their feelings, and work through challenging situations in a nonthreatening, supportive environment.
I incorporate a wide range of materials carefully selected to suit each child’s individual needs and preferences. These tools include art supplies, dollhouses, board games, puppets, dress-up clothes, books, sandtray, Legos, baby dolls, and more. These resources assist my clients in areas such as problem solving, managing emotions, enhancing communication skills, healing from traumatic experiences, and developing coping skills for the future.
When I utilize play therapy interventions with children, my clients gain confidence and learn more about themselves as they build strength and resilience to withstand their personal challenges.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is another valuable approach I use when working with children. CBT focuses on helping children identify and reframe negative thought patterns and behaviors. By teaching them to recognize and challenge unhelpful beliefs and develop more positive and adaptive thinking, CBT helps children manage their emotions and develop effective coping strategies for many obstacles. This approach is extremely useful for addressing issues like anxiety, behavior problems, and social skills development, as it equips children with practical tools for dealing with these challenges.
Mindfulness skills
I enjoy incorporating mindfulness skills in my work with children, as it is known to help with improving self-awareness and emotional regulation. When I include techniques such as deep breathing, guided imagery, and mindfulness-based games, my clients learn ways to cope with stress, improve their concentration, and build resilience. These tools are particularly beneficial for issues such as hyperactivity since they teach children how to focus and channel their energy in a positive way. Mindfulness skills are an important addition to my work with children and promote their well-being and personal growth.
Collaborating with parents
In my child therapy work, partnering with parents is a significant part of the process. Parents are the main support system for their children, and when we work together, it creates a consistent and stable environment for the child. Parents provide valuable insights into their child’s background and behavior, which helps me tailor my therapy approach.
I communicate regularly with parents and involve them in practicing therapeutic strategies at home, which enhances their child’s progress. I firmly believe that this collaboration between parents and me is essential for nurturing children’s emotional growth.
Children often need support in many different areas. Some of my specialties include:
- Separation and Divorce
- Anxiety
- Depression
- ADHD
- Coping skills
- Behavioral issues
- Impulse control
- Defiance and oppositional behavior
- Hyperactivity
- Conflict resolution
- Social skills
- Anger management
- Self-esteem
- Communication skills
- Peer relationships
- Bullying
- Grief and loss
- Family conflict
- Stress management
