Shasta Baum-Strait

Is your child struggling? angry? cutting? stressed? Is your teen only communicating by fighting? Is it “just a phase” or something else? It’s a blend of behaviors and emotions that keep children fighting with their parents or retreating to their rooms. Teens struggle understanding how to reconnect with parents and how to build on family values. My interest is to assist teens and children to understand their families perspectives and how to discover their own values. I support healthy development, boundaries and motivating change for children using play therapy to decrease outbursts, increase communication and increase strengths. With experience working with ages 3 to adult, my focus is teens and middle schoolers who are struggling with suicide, bullying, self harm, stress, outbursts, tantrums, attachment and trauma. I work with LGBTQIA and use play therapy, sand tray (for trauma, depression, attachment, anxiety), CBT, stress management, mindfulness, yoga and expressive arts. After seven years of working with children and families of Montana, on the reservation and off, I have seen how taking care of yourself stops when children and teens struggle. How the burden shifts to the parent and how lonely it can feel. I recognize that when a child struggles parents do too. Connection and understanding will help, reach out.