Services Provided
Child Therapy
When working with children, I use a client-centered play therapy approach. In my experience, kiddos tend to feel most comfortable talking about difficult topics when they are simultaneously playing games, playing with toys, or creating artwork. Most often, the focus of child therapy is to help children become more familiar with their emotions. Once children understand their feelings, and how their behaviors correspond to those feelings, they can begin to identify more positive perspectives and create coping skills to help them manage the issues they face. I often collaborate with parents on either a biweekly or monthly basis. During our collaborative discussions, we will review potential concerns, tools, and opportunities for family involvement. If there is a need for professional collaboration, parental signatures will be required for me to speak with teachers, doctors, psychiatrists, nutritionists, and psychologists.
Adolescent Therapy
A large portion of my clinical work involves supporting pre-teens and teens. Adolescence is a time when academic, social, and future-oriented stressors become more apparent and difficult to manage. I begin therapy by creating a trusting, supportive, and collaborative relationship with the teen. Next I aim to help teen clients better understand how their current stressors may be impacting their overall state of well-being. Together, the teen and I will work towards improving thought processes, reduce interpersonal difficulties, and create coping skills to help manage stressors. I also strive to help each teen client improve self-esteem, self-efficacy, and self-awareness as I believe these are vital components in healthy teen development.
Individual Adult Therapy
Within individual adult counseling, I start by creating a safe, supportive, and nurturing space for you to explore the issues that have brought you into therapy. As we learn more about the underlying issues, we will also identify different skills to help you manage current stressors. As your therapist, I will support you in unpacking these issues at a pace that best works for you. Most of my clients report feeling like they are meeting with a close friend when they come into therapy. My communication style involves a little bit of humor and a whole lot of compassion. I will not repeatedly ask you “And how does that make you feel?” followed by a long pause of silence. Instead, I will work with you interactively in each session. Together, we will discuss the obstacles in your path and determine tools intended to create some improvements each week.
