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Relational Therapy Specialties

Couples & Families:

When working with specific relations, i.e. couples, siblings, parent/child, parent/adult child, and others within the same family, whether separately or the whole family in session together, a holistic framework is created to better foster awareness, acceptance, and a balance of everyone’s needs.

It is my experience that truly one of the most helpful ways to support a family system is by becoming a part of it on many levels. Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a natural bonding approach that fits with a relational focus allowing clients to feel safe, secure, and connected within their relationships.

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Children / Pre-adolescents / Teens

To parents of children and pre-adolescents:

I have considerable experience and thoroughly enjoy working with children, as it is an incredible opportunity. Challenging at times yes, due to the commitment, energy, and invigoration that is needed at the various developmental stages, but with this comes such great reward! I have worked with children of all ages in a wide variety of therapeutic settings from individual, family, and group therapy, to schools and in-patient residential programs. I currently work with preadolescences and up.

Children have an innate ability “to do what they need to do” in therapy and in the play room when provided with the right healing environment. It is important to offer creative outlets through expressive therapies: play therapy, sand tray, books, drawing, paints, etc., since children learn and grow through their experiences, unlike traditional psychotherapy or talk therapy for adults.

It is also important that your child be able to incorporate skills work as needed. This includes such things as social skills, coping skills, healthy boundaries, etc. It is equally important to provide the opportunity for family therapy, so that as the child grows therapeutically, family relations can absorb the change and grow holistically as well. Parent support/consultation is often done separately in addition to family sessions.

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To Teens:

So you’ve finally made it! These years can certainly be exciting, crazy, and troublesome, but no doubt a time for change. This can cause a lot of conflict between you and your family. Many things can be happening to you right now related to friends, self-esteem, new and different opportunities, and don’t forget parents! And if those weren’t tough enough to handle, you may also be trying to get a grip on your ever changing emotions. Unchecked emotions and difficult situations can lead to worse problems like anxiety or depression if you don’t ask for the help you need.

This is a very important time in your life. This is a time for re-defining expectations with your family and peers. I encourage you to make a healthy step towards getting the help you need. Then you can continue to make healthy decisions, strengthen your independence, and begin to conquer the world! I want you to know I work very hard at keeping your confidentiality and making our time together your private space for you to be supported with what you need. I may however, need to talk with your parents for any serious issues that may cause you harm. Please talk with your parents about setting up an appointment with me and I’d be happy to talk with you. If you are concerned about talking with your parents for safety reasons, please contact me and we can together decide the best way for to you get the help you need.

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Expressive Therapies

These types of creative therapies allow for other venues beside traditional talk therapy for clients to be better understood and find their way to healing and change. Together we can determine how these approaches can be integrated into our work.

Play Therapy

This form of counseling relies on play to help children communicate with others. Because children develop cognitive skills before language skills, play is a natural way to connect with others. Children utilize various toys- such puppets, dolls, figurines, games, etc. to test out their problem solving skills and develop a sense of mastery within their world. This process helps therapists better understand the child’s behavior and helps the child find ways to work through their issues. Children have an incredible innate ability to work on what they need to within a secure and explorative environment.

Sand Tray Therapy

This unique approach is a therapeutic tool used with children and adults. Client’s create their own world with figures in a tray of sand. Often times a common theme in ones’ life can be represented in the tray with the option of physically changing it, allowing for the possibility of change in real life as well. Sand tray explores the intricate workings of the human psyche and is a powerful in the moment experience.

Art Therapy

This form of therapy can be a particularly useful tool for clients who have difficulty expressing themselves or opening up. By drawing, painting, or using other visual means to express troublesome feelings, clients can begin to address these issues, even if they cannot identify or label these emotions with words. This therapy also fits well with wellness goals. Art therapy is valuable for adolescents and adults who wish to explore creative contexts.

Call Me To Schedule an Appointment : 612.242.4741

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