I adore working with kiddos, tweens, & teens.  I so relate to the feelings of angst, unknowing, being awkward in my own skin, and just wishing I knew what to do.  I love being able to be their "person" and watching them do what they do best-- be perfectly them! 

I do not only do play therapy by any means... most of the time, when any age child comes into my office, they will gravitate towards something I have in the office.  I have small play items, music, blocks, dice, a couch, items of various textures, pillows on the floor, a sand box, games, art, blankets, drums, and the list goes on! This helps them to regulate, soothe themselves, and feel less awkward.  We go from there.  The rest is up to them. 

I start by earning their trust and showing them that I really do trust them-- because I do!  I work the same way I work with adults; by staying curious, being interested in them, and giving them my full attention.  Then, over time, the therapeutic process unfolds with theories and interventions.  As adults we will discuss the treatment goals and progress through parent check-ins.  My relationship with the child is unique and special-- that is the focus of therapy.  

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I will greet y'all in the lobby, take the client to session, and then bring them out when we are done.  I do not speak with parents unless it's about scheduling during this time; we can arrange parent check-in's if needed.  

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Yes!... well kind of. Play is how kiddos explore the world; this is how they communicate, express, and learn.  I use play in a couple different ways.  First, is to build trust & relationship with the child on their terms.  This means that they get to choose what they play, how they play, and if/how/when I get to join.  This is their space, I am allowed in at their pace.  Second, I get to see the world from their eyes and understanding.  Their play gives me a window into their experience of the world, their internal dialogue, and emotions that can be difficult to verbalize.  I can help to verbalize or name emotions or situations.  This is the foundation for children, tweens, and teens to get to understand how they might be feeling-- first we have to name it!  Third, it allows space for them to try out new things in a safe environment.  They get to explore, break “rules,” try out new personalities, new games, new ideas with a trusted, regulated, and engaged adult.

Emotional Regulation, affect tolerance, and coping skills are all very   “therapist-y” things to say when discussing therapeutic goals and treatment planning.  They are all huge concepts that start with one basic thing-- EMOTIONS!  In order to start working in therapy, emotions have to be recognized.  I’m not talking about a kiddo saying, “Well Mom I am feeling very distraught right now.”  I am talking about being able to recognize when distressing (and overwhelming) emotions start to come up.  This can be recognized in the body, in the brain, or with behaviors.  Ideally, we will integrate emotions all through the body and brain so that behaviors become choices and conscious actions.  All of this starts with identifying emotions.  This is the reason that we will spend so much time and energy on this one thing, because it matters to the rest of therapy & the rest of your child’s life!