Psychotherapy
I provide individualized therapy services tailored for each client’s unique strengths, challenges, and goals.
I value the therapeutic relationship as an essential component to effective therapy. I utilize and integrate talk therapy, play therapy, skill building, and evidence-based techniques in order to support challenges related to behavioral concerns, autism spectrum disorders, parent-child relational challenges, trauma (including developmental or complex trauma), depression, and anxiety. In addition, I provide support for children, adolescents , and young adults who are managing a challenging time, navigating issues related to identify development, or experiencing a difficult transition or loss (i.e., parental separation/divorce, grief, etc.).
Children (Ages 3 and up)
Generally, treatment with a pre-school or elementary school-aged child begins with a parent meeting where I will explore background history and parent concerns. Typically, the first 3 – 4 sessions of therapy are considered to be the “assessment period,” and during this time, I will be establishing a relationship with the child and parent(s) and gathering information. After 3 – 4 sessions, I typically meet with parent(s)/legal guardian to review a treatment plan for therapy. Treatment goals are also discussed with clients in developmentally appropriate language.
Close collaboration with parents is an essential component to therapy with young children. The amount and scope of parenting work depends on each client and family’s needs and goals. In some cases, therapy will include dyadic work (with both the child and the parent together in session). For other clients, parent sessions will be scheduled at a time that is separate from the child’s regular time slot, and the frequency of parent sessions is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Adolescents and Young Adults
If an adolescent client is a minor, it is required that a parent or legal guardian accompany the client to the first session to review office policies, limits of confidentiality, and sign paperwork. However, the majority of the first session is typically spent getting to know the client. If a client is over the age of 18 and collaboration with a parent or caregiver is requested or suggested, the client will have to sign an authorization for me to communicate with a parent or caregiver.
The first few sessions of therapy are considered to be the “assessment period,” during which I will be establishing a relationship with the client and gathering information. Typically, during this time, a separate session with a parent or caregiver is helpful in understanding a client’s history and clarifying the goals for treatment. The extent of involvement of a parent or caregiver in an adolescent or young adult’s treatment will be determined on an individual basis.
After the first 3 – 4 sessions, I will meet with the client (and in some cases, the parent(s)/legal guardian) to discuss a treatment plan for therapy. Length of treatment varies for each individual and will be discussed after the initial assessment period.