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 have a high success rate with patients who are diagnosed with grief, post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety and anger issues. I have personal experience and recovery from the effects of trauma. Clients who have anxiety benefit from coping/calming therapy techniques. I am qualified to work with families to reduce conflict, teaching fair fighting, and communication skills. Also, work with...
"You are braver than you believe, you are stronger than you seem, you are smarter than you think" - Dr. Suess. Play is the universal language of children, how they communicate their thoughts, feelings and emotions. I utilize a variety of play therapy techniques and tools (sandtray, puppets, art therapy, bibliotherapy, etc.) with children and adolescents, and at times, adults, to help them work...
I am happy to be serving the Farmington Valley, and neighboring communities with my private clinical practice located in Avon, CT. I have twenty-two years of experience in the field of child welfare with an extensive background in attachment, trauma, foster care and adoption. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to practice in various settings, ranging from residential treatment...
What do I do for a living? I meet with people and talk about the most intimate aspect of their lives. It's not a bad job and I love the work I get to do. While I often draw from a variety of psychological techniques, I am firmly rooted in psychodynamic/psychoanalytic theory which is a really fancy way of saying I believe authentic relationships bring about sincere change in people. As such, I w...
I enjoy engaging with children, teens, and adults who are in need of assistance with identifying ways to move forward or through difficult feelings and unhealthy patterns of behaviors centering around anxiety and/or depression. Partnering with my clients, we determine the issues at hand and identify realistic and sustainable strategies leading to balance and emotional well-being. I have 15 year...
The focus of my art therapy practice is to help clients navigate life's challenges through self expression, processing emotions, increasing coping strategies, and fostering creative problem solving. I specialize in working with children and adolescents facing emotional or behavioral challenges including: school issues, mood disorders, grief/loss, trauma, low self esteem, communication issues,...
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." Ralph Waldo Emerson. Using a holistic approach in therapy we will explore the mind, body and spirit connection. We will learn balance and build resilience through the power of self-discovery, thus improving your quality of life. Negative thought patterns and beliefs will be identified and challenged...
I am a Clinical Mental Health Therapist, Custody Evaluator, and Parent Coordinator in private practice in Central Oregon with over 10 years of experience in custody dispute and parenting time issues. I specialize in co-parenting, parental alienation, parenting estrangement, and parent-child relationship issues. I also work with teens and adults with addiction issues, social barriers, self-harm...
Today you are one step closer to a new you where you feel empowered and on a positive path to growth and well-being. As a solution-focused therapist, my goal is to help you uncover your true potential and lead a life that is worth celebrating. While we can't change difficult situations of the past, we can work together to better understand and resolve challenges in your life. By applying...
Life is a marathon and I believe that it is all about endurance. Sometimes we have to get a little help along the way whether it be a change of shoes, re-uptake of protein or a water break. There is this idea that we are weak when we seek others to help us out, but I also know that in life we cannot always persevere without a helping hand. I look forward to being an option of that new running s...
[UPDATE: I am now offering telehealth services via phone/videoconference to help patients experiencing isolation due to Coronavirus social distancing measures]. We often do not know what we want out of life. Our desire is inhibited by something we cannot name. Psychoanalysis goes beyond reducing symptoms to provide a unique space to listen to your desire, where you can let go of standards and...
*Not currently accepting new clients* Seeking the support of a therapist can be a powerful step toward increasing self-awareness and the ability to change patterns that are no longer working. Change in therapy happens through a process of increased self-understanding, practicing new ways of engaging (with yourself, with others, with a particular problem or set of issues), and development and...
Building relationships and trust are at the heart of McKala's practice, and she believes everyone has unique and resilient qualities that can be tapped into, especially during difficult times in life. McKala enjoys working alongside clients to help him/her to reach his/her fullest potential. She strives to create a safe, therapeutic environment, where clients feel accepted and understood. McKal...
At heART & Soul Healing Art Studio, we believe in helping individuals work toward their goals to increase happiness and feelings of wholeness and decrease undesirable feelings, thoughts and behaviors. We understand how difficult this journey may be. We take a holistic approach to assist people in their journey toward healing. In our Art Therapy based studio, individuals of all ability levels wi...
Do you find yourself struggling with life transitions such as school, professional development, and marriage? It can be difficult to become your authentic self when you are dealing with life stressors and personal road blocks such as; self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. I am passionate about the work that I do with adolescence and young adults (18-35), and the impact on the larger family syst...
