Integrative Therapy
for Children and Adolescents
Treatment Approaches
Play Therapy
"Toys are children's words and play is their language."- Garry Landreth
Play Therapy is an evidence-based treatment used to treat a variety of social and emotional needs in children. Play Therapy is a form of therapy that goes hand-in-hand with the child's natural developmental and social processes. Young children who lack abstract thought are able to play out their feelings through symbolic play. Young children are not "miniature adults" and are unable to talk about their feelings in the same way as adults. Play is the natural medium of expression for children until they are able to access their emotional world verbally. This usually occurs around age eleven, when symbolic thought begins to emerge.
I work with children using both directive and non-directive approaches, depending on the child's age, temperament and treatment goals. Through the use of sandtrays, carefully-selected toys, and various art mediums, children are able to process difficult experiences and express their innermost thoughts and feelings, while at the same time learning to regain control over their experiences. Play therapy enables children to learn to communicate with others, express feelings, modify behavioral patterns, develop more effective problem-solving skills and learn healthy ways of relating to others. Play provides children a safe psychological distance from their problems and enables them to express thoughts and feelings appropriate to their development.
Play therapy is helpful for difficulties associated with:
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Anxiety
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Depression
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Sensory processing
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Autism Spectrum Disorder
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
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Anger
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Death of a family member or pet
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Divorce
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Illness
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Traumatic experiences
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Social skills
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Parenting Support
As a therapist and a parent, I know how difficult navigating parenting can be. I offer support to parents and caregivers to help ease the struggles of day-to-day parenting as well as more complex parenting struggles. I utilize my training in attachment-based play therapy, such as Theraplay, Child Centered Play Therapy and Child Parent Relationship Therapy, as well as positive parenting strategies such as Conscious Discipline and Playful Parenting to help improve relationships, communication, and attachment.
Yoga and Mindfulness
I have a strong background in Yoga and am a certified Yoga Instructor, with a specialization in teaching yoga to children. Depending on the individual and the treatment goals, I will often incorporate yoga, breathing techniques and mindfulness into therapy.
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Young children will learn different breathing techniques, yoga poses, visualization exercises, and progressive muscle relaxation to utilize as coping skills.
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