THERAPY FOR CHILDREN & TEENS
As a parent, it’s so challenging to be unsure of how best to help your child or teenager when they’re struggling. You may be at a loss for understanding what’s behind your child’s big or challenging behaviors which might have you feeling worried and overwhelmed. As a former preschool administrator, trauma-trained therapist, and child development expert, I understand, and am here to help.
Child & Adolescent Therapy (Ages 5-13)
I help children learn about their feelings and teach skills which help them cope with life’s challenges. Every child is unique, so I tailor therapy to exactly what they’re going through right now. Therapy for children under 13 often involves imaginative play and creative exploration. This helps children who might be disconnected from their feelings be able to connect with them in a way that feels safe, fun, and contained.
As a trained trauma therapist in both EMDR and Brainspotting, I help children to gently reprocess their more difficult experiences and move forward in their lives with greater ease. In the therapy room, I help kids to feel safe in exploring their feelings through art, dance, or play. Through a creative and mindful approach, I teach children how to calm their mind, connect to the feelings in their bodies, and develop self-compassion and confidence. Through therapy, children develop a connection to their intuition and deepen their empathy toward themselves and others.
Therapy for Teenagers (Ages 13-18)
The teenage years, navigating the transition from childhood to young adulthood, can be such a tender time. The teen brain is going through significant changes and developments, which can come with a lot of confusing feelings about things like relationships with peers, romantic relationships, and the way they relate to their parents. You may have noticed your teen is becoming more withdrawn, or they seem depressed, anxious, or their schoolwork is suffering. This is also a challenging time as a parent, and you might be struggling with how best to intervene or how to lovingly support them from afar. I understand, and am here to help.
I offer teens a collaborative and safe space to explore who they are, who they were, and who they are becoming so they can discover the type of person they want to be. Sometimes, this is a journey they need to process with someone other than their parents. I offer a place for teens to share their feelings without fear of judgment and become an ally in their journey to self discovery. Therapy for teens can include traditional talk therapy and support in utilizing emotional and cognitive tools for emotional and stress management, such as journaling, thought records, meditation or breathing exercises. I sometimes also incorporate art therapy, which allows them to process their feelings from a safe emotional distance.
Through a creative and mindful approach, I teach teens how to calm their mind, connect to the feelings in their bodies, and develop a connection to their intuition and deepen their empathy toward themselves and others. I empower them to enter the adult world with self-compassion and confidence and the ability to develop meaningful and healthy relationships.
What to expect from therapy:
45-minute sessions, typically best done in-person, where I’ll work one-on-one with your child. While we’re working together, you can wait in our comfortable waiting area.
Sessions will typically occur once a week unless we determine that your child could benefit from a different therapy cadence.
Once or twice a month, we’ll have a parent session together on Zoom so that I can update you on progress and share tools that your child and I have been working on together.