Therapies offered

As a Registered Play Therapist™, with extensive post-graduate training, consultation and supervision in evidence-based therapy modalities- including EMDR, play therapies (Child-Centered Play Therapy and Theraplay) and expressive art therapy (SandTray and Sand Play Therapy), I am able to offer your family many effective therapy approaches. 

 

child centered play therapy

For children ages 4-8 that require social, emotional, behavioral and relational support

Child Centered Play Therapy is an evidence-based play therapy that enables a child to express his/her/their feelings, needs and experiences through carefully selected toys. Toys are considered children’s words and play is their language. During the play therapy session, children are able to move freely and at their own pace to select the toys and materials needed to express themselves and process their experiences in ways that enable them to heal.

Theraplay

For children ages 4-8 to support child and caregiver attachment as well as to build a child’s positive sense of self

Theraplay is a structured play therapy for children and their caregivers. Its goal is to enhance attachment, self-esteem, trust in others, and joyful engagement. The sessions are designed to be fun, physical, personal, and interactive while replicating natural, healthy interactions between caregivers and young children. Theraplay is effective for a wide range of challenges including withdrawn or depressed behavior, overactive-aggressive behavior, temper tantrums, phobias and difficulty socializing and making friends. Children also are referred for various behavior and interpersonal problems resulting from learning disabilities and developmental delays.

 

EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

For children ages 4-12 who have anxiety, phobias, low self-esteem and/or have experienced bullying, parental divorce or trauma

EMDR is an evidence-based therapy for children. In EMDR, a child selects a distressing target memory and through bilateral stimulation begins to pair the distressing image with a more positive thought or self belief. Although the memory will still be there, your child will have a more neutral response to the event.

Because the culture of childhood is unique, and children are not mini adults, EMDR for children is combined with play therapy and/or art therapy interventions.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Kids

For children ages 7-12 that are experiencing anxiety symptoms

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on the cognitive model, or the connection between thoughts, feelings and behavior.

CBT with children is experiential. Through stories, play, expressive arts, games, role-play, puppets and other fun activities, kids are able to make sense of their thoughts, feelings and actions as well as to learn helpful coping strategies when dealing with stress, anxiety and big emotions. In essence, CBT helps kids learn to face their fears rather than avoid them.

The skills we cover include identifying and naming feelings, regulating emotions, understanding how the brain works in relation to emotions, developing a growth mindset, building resilience, exploring and challenging unhelpful thinking patterns, problem solving, building self-esteem and child friendly mindfulness techniques.

Cognitive Behavioral FAMily Play Therapy

For children ages 6-10 (and their caregivers) who have had a difficult time adjusting to a stressful event or lIfe change

(Combining Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy and Child Centered Play Therapy approaches to build attachment and resilience)

Attachment is a special emotional bond between a child and his/her/their caregiver(s). Secure attachment is believed to have a positive effect on a child's development. Securely attached children are more likely to have good emotional regulation skills as well as feelings of confidence, self-worth and resilience. In family play therapy, we will recognize and build upon your child’s unique strengths and strengthen your attachment bond through directive and non-directive play and art therapy interventions.

AUTPLAY® THERAPY

For neurodivergent children ages 4-12 (including autistic spectrum disorder, ADHD, social anxiety, sensory differences and/or developmental and physical disabilities).

AutPlay® Therapy is a neurodiversity affirming collaborative process designed to value the individual child and highlight their unique strengths. The AutPlay® framework guides areas of intervention, goals and approaches for addressing the needs of the child and family. The therapeutic powers of play are utilized to address a variety of needs including the following:

  • emotional regulation

  • sensory challenges

  • social navigation

  • engagement/connection growth

  • anxiety and fear reduction

  • depression

  • self-esteem

  • trauma

  • stigmatization

  • parent/child relationship struggles

Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Treatment (SMART)

Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Treatment (SMART) is a non-directive model of psychotherapy for children and adolescents. It integrates occupational therapy and other body-oriented therapies.

SMART blends movement and relationship to help children learn to regulate arousal states and powerful emotions. Additionally, SMART helps to widen the child’s window of tolerance for both positive and negative emotional states, and for interpersonal connection so that healthy development can proceed.

SMART is evidence informed and was created In 2006 by a group of child therapists at the Trauma Center, founded by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.

Additional Therapy Modalities

In addition, I am trained and/or certified in the following therapy modalities:

  • Expressive Art Therapy

  • Guided Drawing

  • Theraplay & Marschak Interaction Method (MIM)

  • Exposure and Response Therapy

  • Sand Tray and Sand Play Therapies

  • The Flash Technique

  • Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping)

  • Mindfulness and Meditation

  • Yoga (RYT 200 Hours)

  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

  • Motivational Interviewing

  • Safe and Sound Protocol

  • Biofeedback

  • Internal Family Systems

  • Interpersonal Neurobiology

  • The Incredible Years Parenting Program