Being a parent is truly the hardest job in the world. It becomes even more difficult when:
- Your strong willed child is not listening, getting in trouble at school, flipping out when things do not go their way or for what seems to be no reason.
- Your sensitive quiet child is crying a lot, is scared and refusing to go to school, refusing to sleep in their own bed, worrying about things a child shouldn’t worry about and complaining about stomach aches.
- Your once happy and social child is quiet, moody and complains about not having friends and feeling like no one loves him.
You have been trying to get a handle on this on your own but nothing is working and you just don’t what else to do. Teachers are concerned and friends and family are starting to notice something is wrong. You are frustrated and worried. You stay up at night reflecting on the day and feel guilty for losing your patience.
You never pictured yourself looking for a child psychologist or a child therapist. Finding help for your child makes you a good parent. When they are sick you take them to the pediatrician, when their tooth hurts you take them to the dentist, and when they are falling behind on a subject you find them tutor. You want your child to be happy and healthy, taking care of their mental health is equally important.
When LITTLE ones are struggling with BIG emotions, they don’t TELL us with words, they SHOW us with behavior.
Children are still developing, growing and often have a hard time communicating their feelings verbally. They also have a short list of coping strategies and easily run out of ways to manage emotions.
Play Therapy is known to be the most effective treatment modality to use with children ages 3-12 years old. Play Therapy understands the developmental needs of young children. While adults communicate verbally, a child’s natural way of expressing themselves is through play. Children learn and practice better ways to behave, problem solve, relate to others and overcome life challenges through play.
I am Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with over 10 years experience in working with children and I am certified in Play Therapy. As a Play Therapist, I have specialized training in observing children’s play to obtain valuable insight on how they view themselves and their world. My expertise involves utilizing therapeutic play interventions to help your child better cope and heal.
My office offers a warm inviting playful space with carefully selected therapeutic toys, allowing children to process their toughest feelings.
Through play, my young clients have learned how to stand up to bullies, how to make friends, resolve conflict, manage their frustration, confront their worries and fears, and cope with their parent’s divorce or loss of a grandparent.
“IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD”
It has been my experience that treatment outcome is most successful when the people in the child’s lives are included in the process. A collaborative team approach is ideal when children are in counseling.
Family Involvement and Participation:
During parent feedback sessions, parents discuss their observations, note their progress and other areas of concern. It is important to keep parents informed of the strategies and techniques their children are learning so that they can help them practice at home. Parents are sometimes invited to observe their child’s session and I will later provide my insight. In family play therapy sessions, parents may discover how family dynamics may be impacting their child, and learn how to use playful techniques to help their child at home.
Collaborating with Teachers and School Staff:
Our children spend a majority of their time at school. Some of the time the very challenges your child is facing are occurring in school. With parent’s written permission, I can communicate with your child’s teacher and work with them to help your child in school. I am also available to attend IEP meetings and do classroom observations upon request.
Other Professionals:
If your child receives services from other professionals, it helps if everyone is on the same page regarding your child’s treatment. With written permission I can consult with pediatricians, psychiatrists, or occupational therapists, etc.
Contact Me to schedule your Free 15 minute telephone consultation.
(Se Habla Español)
Take a sneak peek into my play therapy space!
Play Therapy Works!
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