SERVICES

Therapy is a wonderful place for growth. Some common concerns that bring children to therapy can be anxiety, depressed mood, difficulties with emotion regulation, social skill deficits, parent separation/divorce, family change, grief/loss, and behavioral concerns.

Length of treatment is highly individualized and at times unpredictable. The frequency of therapy can also impact how long you or your child are active clients.

I prefer that new clients have 4 individual sessions (+1 parent session for children/some adolescents) at the rate of once per week before decreasing the frequency of therapy. This is to ensure client and therapist have adequate time to build rapport and trust, the therapist has time to gain a full understanding of the presenting problem(s), and to begin identifying and working towards collaborative goals.

Once we have the ball rolling, I am happy to work with you to find a frequency that works best for you.

Before I begin working with a minor client, it is vital that both parents are in agreement for the child to be seen for services. I require consent from both parents regardless of marital status or custody arrangement - if the parent has legal custody of the child they must consent to treatment prior to the child being seen.

The intake appointment includes kids and parents to gain background information and assist with forming comfort with a new person. Individual therapy sessions are held without parents present, unless the child specifically requests you to join. I reserve time in the session to convene with parents to discuss important information from the session as well as progress on treatment goals.

As a client, the child has the right to confidentiality and specifics of their session will not be shared unless it is absolutely necessary for their safety or the safety of others.

That’s not the kind of therapy I offer. I do not use behavioral plans or quick-fix strategies. Instead, I work relationally and collaboratively, helping your child feel safe enough to grow and equipping you with tools that work long-term.

Absolutely. “Play is the language of children, and toys are their words.” Through play, children can process abstract emotions and experiences in a way that feels safe and accessible.

Children have a unique understanding of the world around them. It is not uncommon for behaviors to increase after starting therapy, as that demonstrates that the child is actively processing their lived experiences.

Trust, comfort, and relationship are also three very important parts of the early stages of play therapy before the real work can be done. Each child is different in the amount of time it takes for them to begin showing vulnerable sides to themselves with the therapist.

If you have questions or concerns about your child's progress in therapy, please open a discussion with me at your next session, or give me a call at 717.743.1484.