Play Therapy is an approach to counseling utilized for children. Children learn to understand the world through play. Play Therapy embraces play to facilitate therapeutic interventions. Play can include games, dolls, art activities, sports, make-believe, or any other activity that fits a child developmentally and emotionally.
Play Therapy can be beneficial for children with behavioral issues. Because these children might not have the words to communicate their feelings or might not want to, this allows them a space to express themselves and share their feelings through play.
Play therapists get to know the child’s specific interests and can tailor their counseling space to make it unique for each child. As the counselor observes and interacts with the child, they can understand the emotions that lead to their behaviors. Over time, therapists can encourage children to use play to express feelings instead of expressing them through inappropriate or harmful behaviors.
Play Therapy can also be used for adults to help them connect with their inner creativity and facilitate child-like joy.
I am an LMFT dedicated to helping my clients reach their goals with a varied clinical background in working with clients of various ages, ethnicities, SES, and presenting issues. My primary experience has been with children and teens who are struggling with the effects of trauma and behavioral difficulties that impact school, home, and social functioning. I also have a passion to help adults wi...
I work with children, adolescents, adults and families on the north shore of Chicago. I specialize in supporting people dealing with anxiety, depression, social issues, low self-esteem, life transitions and complex family systems. I have experience working with both individuals and families and have particular expertise in understanding family dynamics. My approach is eclectic, with a...
I have been practicing 13 years offering individual psychotherapy for clients who are suffering emotional distress for many different reasons. Often clients feel stuck, or they are struggling with difficult emotions or interpersonal situations that are distressing. I can help by assisting clients in better understanding their emotions and interpersonal styles that may be making life difficult o...
With 39 years of experience as a psychotherapist and 12 years as a psychoanalyst I help people build on their strengths to accomplish the personal growth they are committed to attaining. Individual adults and couples undergoing stress, loss, transitions or anxiety can be helped to get on a healthier path through exploration of what is meaningful and what is missing in their lives. Children and...
As a counselor, I enjoy working with all age groups. One of my specialty areas is working with children and families. Another specialty area is trauma and recovery. I also work with concerns of depression, anxiety, life changes, self-esteem, and more. I honor the value of every person and enjoy utilizing a person’s strengths to help them find solutions to living their best life. I use a variety...
Dr. Lauren Gross is a licensed psychologist, school psychologist, & health service provider with 14 years of experience in her field. Dr. Gross has an expertise in the treatment and assessment of individuals with emotional and behavioral concerns, including but not limited to Depression, ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, and trauma (EMDR certificate through the EMDR Institute) . Dr. Gross works within...
Mental illness has such a stigma that it prevents most from seeking the appropriate services that are needed. I provide services to individuals who find it difficult to participate in processing their issues; whether it is depression, anxiety, PTSD or parenting to individuals and families. In a non-threatening environment, one can discuss issues related to their difficulties functioning and...
My goal when working with clients is to create a compassionate, caring, and safe therapeutic environment as we work together to overcome their challenges, heal their pain, develop their strengths and resources, and accomplish their goals. I work with children, adolescents, adults, and couples from all backgrounds on a broad range of issues. I have extensive training in a wide range of modalitie...
You recently discovered your child or teen may need counseling and are thinking, "Now what?!" It could be that your child is acting out and their teacher recommended counseling; maybe your teen told you they question if anyone cares about them; or you began fostering a child and know they need the extra support; or maybe it's the stresses of everyday life that are bogging you down and you need...
We are living in a uniquely difficult time. Navigating our relationships, families, mental and emotional health, and our coping skills can be especially challenging right now. If you are experiencing loneliness, grief, relational difficulties, family tensions, stress, anxiety, depression, or any other issues that have come up during this time, I am here to help and support you. I hope to create...
My goal is for us to work together short-term based on needs and goals we identify at our first session. My clients learn skills immediately and reduce their symptoms quickly. I have 26 years of experience using Biofeedback and teaching coping skills with many different disorders, cultures, and individuals (adults/kids) & families. I have seen people improve the quality of their life and reduce...
I have dedicated myself to providing positive emotional support to children with a broad range of presenting problems, including anxiety, anger management difficulties, Autism Spectrum Disorder symptoms, and trauma-related symptoms. My forte is intervening with children ages 4-14. I am also quite effective in helping 17 year olds. I have a strongly committed passion for helping others, and am...
Are you a parent with concerns about your child's development, behavior, or mood? Do you have a child with a chronic health condition who could benefit from learning skills to improve coping and adjustment, increase the likelihood of following medical recommendations, or decrease anxiety or pain related to an illness or injury? Do you have concerns about your young child's feeding/eating habits...
I believe that effective clinical work is grounded in a well established therapeutic relationship. Using a wide variety of treatment modalities I work with adult women and families with children ages 3 - 12 to facilitate growth, healing and change. Therapy includes trauma/abuse recovery, treatment for depression, anxiety, self-esteem, grief and child behavior issues. Clients are encouraged and...
Aubree enjoys working with all types of clients from young children to adults. When working with young children she works towards creating a safe space for building relationships and exploring issues or problems that they bring to the therapy room. She utilizes play therapy techniques and believes in children expressing themselves through the power of play. She also enjoys working with couples ...
