I have been trained in the traditional psychotherapy modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy as well as some of the newer modalities such as Solution-Focused Therapy, Functional Family Therapy, and Play Therapy. I may use a combination of these modalities to create a treatment plan for your child. Unlike adults, children and most teens cannot come into a therapist’s office and simply talk about their problems. Children need to develop a relationship with the therapist and use the language that they know best. Play allows children to express themselves using toys, role-play, or re-enactment to express their feelings and needs. I use Play Therapy with children individually as well as with the Family (any combination of family members).
Play Therapy for Families and Children of All Ages
Play Therapy can be helpful in the use of:
- Assessment for mental health conditions
- Treatment of mental health conditions (such as anxiety and depression)
- Teach Social Skills
- Aid in behavioral modification
- Developmental Issues
- Social/Peer Issues (such as peer pressure/bullying, use of social media, intimate relationships)
- School related issues (such as stress/worry, transition to new school or leaving to college)
- Life Stressors Related to Loss Death (dealing with grief and bereavement)
- Life Stressors Related to Divorce (and remarriage, blended families, etc.)
- Intrapersonal Struggles (such as low self-esteem, self-harm, and drugs/alcohol use in teens).
Parenting Support for Parents
Parenting skills to help parents manage their child’s behaviors
Play Therapy Supervision
For therapists who are looking to complete their certification as a RPT or RPT-S, I can provide play therapy supervision. See A4PT.org for guidelines and credentialing requirements.