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.
Talking is not always the best approach to therapy-especially if you are someone who struggles with opening up or finding words for your feelings. Working creatively allows you to move past blocks and defenses to release old patterns and create the life you want to be living. Whether you have a specific issue, feel stuck or overwhelmed, or are curious to explore yourself more, a creative approa...
Welcome! Thank you for taking time out of your day to focus on your needs. Self-care is the best care and I am here to help you meet your desired goals. My name is Kierra and I am eager to partner with you so we can begin working on your version of your best self. My social work career was focused on Children and Families. However, since receiving my state license, I have worked with all age...
It is not always easy to reach out to a stranger for help, yet you know you are ready to make a change in your life. My focus is on helping clients by understanding systemic or external factors that may impact your relationship with yourself and others. With that understanding we then work together to use that understanding to influence how we treat ourselves and engage the world around us....
I empower children, adolescents, adults, couples and families challenged in coping with mental health concerns, everyday life worries, and stressors. I seek to use the person's character strengths and qualities to find resolve and cope. I facilitate helping and caring for individuals working through struggles that impede relationships and lifestyle. My private practice began in 2012. Research...
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a background in counseling children and adolescents in a variety of settings including; public schools, residential facilities and an outpatient clinic. I have extensive experience working with individuals who have experienced; trauma, school-related issues, crisis, ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Generalized Anxiety and Depression. My goal, when...
If you’re here, it might be because you feel off, not like yourself, maybe a little lost. Someone might be encouraging you to seek support, or maybe, no one knows how truly bad you feel. A major life change may be impacting you more than you thought, feelings of depression and loneliness are becoming unmanageable. Stress may be overwhelming and impacting many areas of your life. The journey int...
Do you feel like a bad experience from your past may still be affecting you today? Have you endured something that you just can’t shake off? Do you struggle with communicating your needs and wants in relationships? Does your teen get overwhelmed by big emotions and need a safe adult to talk to? Do you ever have trouble reading your child’s cues or knowing how to meet their needs? If you answere...
My name is Cristina Spataro, and I am a New York State licensed mental health counselor. I have worked with children and families in crisis for the past 17 years. If there is one thing I have learned is that everyone has the capacity for change if they truly want it. Life is hard, and the "right" choices are not always so apparent. Our decisions and their consequences leave us questioning...
"Ama tu vida, ama tu historia, ama lo que eres" - "love your life, love your history, love who you are" . Bilingual (Spanish/English) - Parenting and relationships can be difficult. I believe parents always do their best, all learning, personality and development takes place in the context of relationship and are critically affected by the quality of those relationships. I am passionate to empo...
I have more than 15 years of experience in counseling and case management, and I enjoy empowering and lifting up each person I am privileged to serve. My office is a safe, confidential space where we can work together to build a treatment plan that is the best fit for you. I utilize several approaches in my sessions, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and solution-based therapy, all w...
“I believe that anyone can make a change, however, it will take work, perseverance and sometimes outside help. As a therapist, I see my role as that outside help, a facilitator of change. As a tenacious and creative psychotherapist, I use a variety of modalities to assist clients in making positive change.” As a therapist I am a generalist. I have worked with children, youth, adults, families a...
We work closely with children, adolescents, adults, and their support systems to provide services for individuals and families. We provide a person-centered, strength-based approach that engages clients in actively participating in their treatment. We are here to work with you to understand your struggles and strengths. We have had success in working with clients who have a variety of challenge...
Deciding to make real life change is hard. It would be my pleasure to assist you in gaining clarity, insight and direction to fully embark on the next chapter. The ideal client is anyone who seeks to become a better version of themselves. I believe that change starts with our thoughts, and once we change our thoughts our behaviors will follow suit. I can help you gain insight into your challeng...
Compassion is the foundation of my therapeutic work with all clients. It's important to me that you feel respected, cared for, and that you feel better. Challenging life situations, traumatic experiences, and/or dysfunctional family dynamics can cause all of us to feel distressed. Sharing your experiences, feeling validated and listened to, can decrease your emotional pain. Using a relational a...
I believe that every person can live a successful, healthy and joyful life. I empower families and individuals to overcome personal obstacles which leads to fulfilling relationships and peace. I graduated with a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling and School Counseling from Central Michigan University. I have been practicing as a licensed mental health counselor for over 4 years. I enjoy...
