Specialties
Play Therapy
While I practice using a variety of theories and methods, my niche in the therapy world is in Play Therapy. I am working hard to become a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) and have received extensive training in Child-Centered and Cognitive-Behavioral approaches.
What is Play Therapy?
To learn more about play, contact me or check out the Association for Play Therapy's website.
Play is the language of children, but instead of using words, they use toys and actions. The therapist uses reflections, observations, and sometimes directives to help the child recognize their own emotions and heal.
What I love about play therapy is that it meets the child at their developmental level and provides a safe, familiar space where they can express themselves in the way they know how.
As with any form of therapy, play is most effective when there is a good rapport and base of trust between the therapist and client. In order to help facilitate that trust, I do a great deal of work with parents so we can help your child take what they are learning home.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a method I like to use when addressing maladaptive thoughts that come up with anxiety and depression. It can also be effective in treating other concerns as well.
To learn more about CBT, please contact me or check out the American Psycological Association's website.
What is CBT?
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is an evidence-based methodology where we look at the thoughts behind your behaviors. We work on addressing those thoughts and the distortions behind them to help modify our behaviors.
CBT puts you in an active role in your healing process. It allows me to give you tools so we can see what works uniquely for you.
In practice, these sessions can look like us writing down maladaptive thoughts, creating a map of when your symptoms started and when they flare up, or working on relaxation techniques and journaling to monitor your mood and see what works (or doesn't work) for you or your child.