Therapies offered
With extensive post-graduate training, consultation and supervision in evidence-based therapy modalities- including EMDR, play therapies (Child-Centered Play Therapy and Theraplay) and expressive arts therapy (Sand Tray and Sand Play Therapy), I am able to offer your family many effective therapy approaches.
I am currently working toward the Registered Play Therapist (RPT) credential.
I am currently studying to become a certified Jungian SandPlay Therapist.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
For children ages 4-12 that are experiencing anxiety symptoms
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on the cognitive model, or the connection between thoughts, feelings and behavior.
CBT with children is experiential. Through stories, play, expressive arts, games, role-play, puppets and other fun activities, kids are able to make sense of their thoughts, feelings and actions as well as to learn helpful coping strategies when dealing with stress, anxiety and big emotions. In essence, CBT helps kids learn to face their fears rather than avoid them.
The skills we cover include identifying and naming feelings, regulating emotions, understanding how the brain works in relation to emotions, developing a growth mindset, building resilience, exploring and challenging unhelpful thinking patterns, problem solving, building self-esteem and child friendly mindfulness techniques.
THE INCREDIBLE YEARS® PARENTING PROGRAM
For caregivers of children ages 4-8
The Incredible Years® is a time-limited (short-term with 10-14 sessions), evidence-based parenting program with 40 years of comprehensive research to support its effectiveness. Parents and/or caregivers are given ample opportunity to practice strategies that directly supports their child’s social and emotional learning, emotion regulation, problem solving skills and academic success while reducing big behaviors.
The Incredible Years® builds positive parent/child relationships as well as responsive and sensitive discipline practices.
One-to-one caregiver sessions are 55 minutes and are currently being offered weekly in-person and via tele-health.
child centered play therapy
For children ages 4-10 that require social, emotional, behavioral and relational support
Child Centered Play Therapy is an evidence-based play therapy that enables a child to express his/her/their feelings, needs and experiences through carefully selected toys. Toys are considered children’s words and play is their language. During the play therapy session, children are able to move freely and at their own pace to select the toys and materials needed to express themselves and process their experiences in ways that enable them to heal.
EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
For children ages 4-12 who have anxiety, phobias, low self-esteem and/or have experienced bullying, parental divorce or trauma
EMDR is an evidence-based therapy for children. In EMDR, a child selects a distressing target memory and through bilateral stimulation begins to pair the distressing image with a more positive thought or self belief. Although the memory will still be there, your child will have a more neutral response to the event.
Because the culture of childhood is unique, and children are not mini adults, EMDR for children is combined with play therapy and/or art therapy interventions.
Cognitive Behavioral FAMily Play Therapy
For children ages 4-10 (and their caregivers) who have had a difficult time adjusting to a stressful event or lIfe change
(Combining Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy and Child Centered Play Therapy approaches to build attachment and resilience)
Attachment is a special emotional bond between a child and his/her/their caregiver(s). Secure attachment is believed to have a positive effect on a child's development. Securely attached children are more likely to have good emotional regulation skills as well as feelings of confidence, self-worth and resilience. In family play therapy, we will recognize and build upon your child’s unique strengths and strengthen your attachment bond through directive and non-directive play and art therapy interventions.
AUTPLAY® THERAPY
For neurodivergent children ages 4-12 (including autistic spectrum disorder, ADHD, social anxiety, sensory differences and/or developmental and physical disabilities).
AutPlay® Therapy is a neurodiversity affirming collaborative process designed to value the individual child and highlight their unique strengths. The AutPlay® framework guides areas of intervention, goals and approaches for addressing the needs of the child and family. The therapeutic powers of play are utilized to address a variety of needs including the following:
emotional regulation
sensory challenges
social navigation
engagement/connection growth
anxiety and fear reduction
depression
self-esteem
trauma
stigmatization
parent/child relationship struggles
Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Treatment (SMART)
Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Treatment (SMART) is a non-directive model of psychotherapy for children and adolescents. It integrates occupational therapy and other body-oriented therapies.
SMART blends movement and relationship to help children learn to regulate arousal states and powerful emotions. Additionally, SMART helps to widen the child’s window of tolerance for both positive and negative emotional states, and for interpersonal connection so that healthy development can proceed.
SMART is evidence informed and was created In 2006 by a group of child therapists at the Trauma Center, founded by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.
Additional Therapy Modalities
In addition, I am trained and/or certified in the following therapy modalities:
Expressive Art Therapy
Guided Drawing
Theraplay & Marschak Interaction Method (MIM)
Exposure and Response Therapy
Sand Tray and Sand Play Therapies
Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping)
Mindfulness and Meditation
Yoga (RYT 200 Hours)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Safe and Sound Protocol
Biofeedback
Internal Family Systems
Interpersonal Neurobiology