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.
Along the journey through life challenges are inevitable and there aren't always easy or clear answers about why things happen and what to do about them. We want our lives and life itself to have value, meaning and purpose; and finding or creating these things for ourselves can be confusing, frustrating and even scary. However, finding our deeper reason(s) in life can also be rewarding, excitin...
MY PRACTICE IS CURRENTLY FULL. I work primarily with children and adolescents who face a range of challenges. Among these might be anxiety, negotiating peer relationships, learning disabilities, ADHD, and/or losses (e.g. divorce, illness/death of a loved one). During the assessment process, I believe in learning the strengths of the child, parent(s), and other support networks (e.g extended...
I believe in looking past a client's potential diagnosis and seeing them as a person trying to handle whatever challenges life has thrown at them. I believe human connection is essential to growth. I am a graduate of Aurora University and have several years of experience working in the mental health field. I believe that empathy is essential to helping people. I have training and experience...
As a psychotherapist I believe in creating a safe and welcoming environment for people to feel and express their emotions and dialogue about their realities. Meeting the client where they are at and working together to build insight and awareness towards creating a more fulfilled life is my main goal in therapy. I assist clients who are facing a wide range of issues including: suicidal ideation...
***NO IMMEDIATE AVAILABILITY. PLEASE CONTACT TO BE PLACED ON SHORT WAITLIST*** I like to work with highly motivated individuals looking to make changes and improvements in their lives. Clients often come to me because they are feeling unhappy, stuck, or lonely. They may be experiencing difficulties in their relationships with others or work performance. Often, they have been feeling especially...
My Core Values for your child are: 1) Voice: To assess the ways children express themselves. 2) Voice: To teach children how to express their thoughts and feelings through words. To teach children to communicate to others what they need and/or want and be understood. 3) Voice: To be a child advocate. 4) Children: Children believe in a better tomorrow, they have hope in mankind. The emotional,...
Perhaps you are visiting today to obtain answers to confusion, peace in the torment, clarity from the chaos, healing from the pain. Maybe you just want someone to understand your pain. You might be feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or hopeless. Whatever your reasoning may be, I am dedicated to help you achieve hope and healing. Thank you for taking the first step to work toward your personal heal...
As a professional counselor, my focus is working with children, adolescents, and adults to navigate through their presenting challenges . I incorporate a spectrum of individual and family therapy in order to provide a comprehensive, familial treatment plan to reach the identified counseling goals. I have 15 years experience in the education system, consisting of ten years as a teacher and five...
Caregivers want their children to thrive. However, parenting can be tough and modern life can overwhelm children and their families. Is your child overly anxious or struggles with low self-esteem? Or does your child experience repeated angry outbursts? Maybe your child has a hard time sitting still and focusing or your family is going through a divorce and you are worried on how to best support...
I work with parents and their children (young child through adolescence) to develop skills that promote child development and prevent mental health difficulties. My parenting interventions are particularly helpful if parents want to learn new parenting strategies and tools to help manage difficult child behaviors. I use evidence-based parenting interventions and behavioral approaches, which is...
I believe that we are each wired for connection, and through deep intimacy and secure relationships we can experience healing, change, and growth. I believe we thrive when we experience acceptance, freedom, and authenticity in the context of relationship with others. I am passionate about walking alongside individuals and families and seeing relationships and families restored, connections...
I tailor my approach to counseling on the needs of each client. I have worked in a disciplinary alternative educational program with clients of various backgrounds. The counseling environment needs to promote trust and create an empathetic zone. I believe establishing a supportive and trusting relationship with my clients is a key to effective counseling. I utilize reality therapy in session wh...
Have issues at home or school left your child depressed, angry or withdrawn? Many times, behavior and mood changes may be your child’s way of communicating that they need help processing the things going on in their lives. When adults are stressed and overwhelmed, other aspects of our lives suffer (e.g. job performance, relationship, etc). Children & teens experience emotional stress in similar...
I realize that no two people are the same and as such tailor my therapy to meet the specific needs of my clients. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or any other issue, I will help you recognize underlying problems, fully realize your strengths, and adjust certain behaviors and thoughts to see things in a different, healthier way. My clinical practice specializes in...
