Specialization in treating children, adolescence and families along with parenting.

I provide a safe and secure environment that is non-judgmental and supportive in nature. A place where children and adults feel comfortable in sharing their feelings and emotions along with goals and dreams. I am here to assist parents and children in securing the skills necessary to have a healthier and more productive relationship with each other. I can assist in decreasing tension, anxiety and turmoil along with opening the path for greater communication. I understand the complexities of child and adolescent struggles and am able to bridge the gap in creating more peaceful and functional relationships.

I treat children from ages 2 thru adult along with individuals and families. I consider it to be an essential part of treatment for parents to be involved in their child's therapy. I believe parents are a wonderful source of information regarding all areas of their child's development. It is important for parents to be involved in determining family goals and objectives for treatment in addition to those of the individual. While children are actively participating in sessions, parents can support this work by reinforcing strategies and techniques at home such as relaxation, expressive art, anger management and other learned skills.

Therapy sessions provide children with a safe and identified place in which they can begin to understand their particular feelings and ways to better cope, relieve stress and identify new ways to deal with their concerns. I teach children ways to improve self-esteem, self worth and essential coping and problem solving skills so they may be stronger and more confident in the choices they make in their daily lives.

I provide individual sessions to children and adolescents along with family therapy sessions. Child and Adolescent therapy are comprised of a variety of treatment modalities which include play therapy, art therapy and talk therapy (depending on the child's age and ability). Children communicate best through play and art due to their immature use of language. It is thru these modalities that a child is able to convey their thoughts and feelings and receive support when they may not have other wise been able to project this information into words.

When I initially meet a child I also meet with the family to better gain an understanding of both the child and parent's perspectives. I will then continue on to meet with the child for individual work with periodic family sessions. I will also meet briefly with parents at the start of each session to touch base. Children and Adolescents often struggle with conflicting messages from family and peers and it is important to provide them with a safe place to share these difficulties so that they may sort out this information in a way that is most helpful and effective. It is through this work that children and families are better able to create stronger and more resilient bonds that will ensure  healthier and happier relationships.