Child psychotherapy differs significantly from adult talk therapy. Children often struggles to verbally express their thoughts and emotions due to their developing brain. As a result, they communicate most effectively through play. To support this, I use a play therapy model, incorporating a range of carefully selected tools in my office. Each activity is designed with a specific purpose to help me better understand the child. For many children, the act of “playing” is enjoyable, but it serves far more than just entertainment—it is their primary means of communication. Throughout our sessions, I help interpret their play, encourage verbal expression, and guide them through any conflicts or frustrations. My role is to offer support, provide insight, and assist them in navigating their emotions in a safe and understanding environment. Each child is unique in their communication style. While some may rely heavily on play, others may prefer more direct verbal communication. In these cases, the focus shifts toward enhancing communication skills and developing effective coping strategies, tailored to the individual needs of the child.
Parent involvement is essential when working with children. As parents, you spend the most time with your child and are in the best position to offer valuable insights into what’s happening outside of the therapy sessions and the meaning behind their play. Understanding the dynamics at home and what happens outside of session helps me gain a clearer picture of the child’s internal world and allows me to better support them. Parent sessions are tailored to each child’s needs and can range from weekly meetings to monthly check-ins, depending on the situation. Your collaboration is key to the success of the therapeutic process.
My goal when working with children is to help them develop strong internal coping skills to manage their stressors in a more age appropriate way. In addition, I aim to support them in learning how to verbalize and communicate their feelings with the important adults in their lives, including parents (and teachers if needed). This process fosters emotional growth and enhances their ability to navigate challenging situations.
I work with a broad range of challenges, many include:
- Anger and aggression at home or school
- Low frustration tolerance
- Anxiety, including fears and worries
- Depression
- ADD/ADHD- difficulties with focus, and/or restlessness
- Social anxiety-challenges with making or maintaining friendships
- Parent-child connection
- Separation anxiety- including difficulty with school drop offs or sleeping independently
- Grief, loss, and coping with death
- Family transitions, such as divorce, separation, or remarriage
- Frequent crying or emotional outbursts
- Trauma- including medical related traumas
