About my Adult, Individual & Child & Adolescent Therapies...
Adult Individual Therapy
When working with adults in therapy, we usually begin by discussing the current distressing symptoms they are currently experiencing that brought them into therapy. From there, we collaboratively create goals for therapy. We firmly believe that therapy is an individualized process...no two people need the same thing nor have identical experiences. Therefore, while we generally work from an experiential and process-oriented approach, we tailor the sessions to fit your unique needs.
We often begin therapy because certain parts of our lives are no longer working for us. Together, we will explore such areas and identify particular patterns that may be repeating themselves in your life. Suffering oftentimes comes from "stories" we have created that we believe are true about ourselves. We may believe that we are failures, inadequate, worthless, or hopeless. The process of healing begins when we can look at such "stories" and begin to challenge them. From there, we can take action to begin changing ourselves and our lives into who we truly want to become.
For the most part, we live in a society that teaches us self-hatred. We may believe that we aren't thin enough, successful enough, pretty enough, handsome enough, good enough, etc. Such self-hatred is at the core of our negative thoughts, beliefs, and actions. It is only when we can examine this self-hatred and begin to transform it into self-love that we can live our lives with integrity and authenticity. Once that occurs, we can find the joy and inner peace that we so desire. It is attainable!
Child & Adolescent Therapy
When working with children (age 7 & older) & adolescents, we employ not only talk therapy, but also creative play therapies. These might include playing games, drawing, music therapy, etc. At this age, self-esteem building and coping skills acquirement are of utmost importance. I firmly believe in the mind-body connection. Therefore, I incorporate biofeedback into sessions as needed. Biofeedback helps children & adolescents learn to regulate their breathing & heart rate, which helps lessen fear & anxiety and enhances self-awareness.
Childhood and adolescence can be a time of great stress and change and oftentimes brings with it many insecurities, anxiety, and depression. A rise in bullying in schools has led to an even greater prevalence of such symptoms. At consistently younger ages, we see children and adolescents battling thoughts of suicide, drifting towards severe isolation, engaging in self-harm behaviors such as cutting, and declaring "war" against their own bodies through eating disorders. All such thoughts and behaviors put our youth at great risk. Early intervention is the key.
Children and adolescents are often quite resilient; however, they need a strong support system and "tools" to put in their "toolbags" to help prepare them for entrance into adulthood healthfully and successfully.
We often begin therapy because certain parts of our lives are no longer working for us. Together, we will explore such areas and identify particular patterns that may be repeating themselves in your life. Suffering oftentimes comes from "stories" we have created that we believe are true about ourselves. We may believe that we are failures, inadequate, worthless, or hopeless. The process of healing begins when we can look at such "stories" and begin to challenge them. From there, we can take action to begin changing ourselves and our lives into who we truly want to become.
For the most part, we live in a society that teaches us self-hatred. We may believe that we aren't thin enough, successful enough, pretty enough, handsome enough, good enough, etc. Such self-hatred is at the core of our negative thoughts, beliefs, and actions. It is only when we can examine this self-hatred and begin to transform it into self-love that we can live our lives with integrity and authenticity. Once that occurs, we can find the joy and inner peace that we so desire. It is attainable!
Child & Adolescent Therapy
When working with children (age 7 & older) & adolescents, we employ not only talk therapy, but also creative play therapies. These might include playing games, drawing, music therapy, etc. At this age, self-esteem building and coping skills acquirement are of utmost importance. I firmly believe in the mind-body connection. Therefore, I incorporate biofeedback into sessions as needed. Biofeedback helps children & adolescents learn to regulate their breathing & heart rate, which helps lessen fear & anxiety and enhances self-awareness.
Childhood and adolescence can be a time of great stress and change and oftentimes brings with it many insecurities, anxiety, and depression. A rise in bullying in schools has led to an even greater prevalence of such symptoms. At consistently younger ages, we see children and adolescents battling thoughts of suicide, drifting towards severe isolation, engaging in self-harm behaviors such as cutting, and declaring "war" against their own bodies through eating disorders. All such thoughts and behaviors put our youth at great risk. Early intervention is the key.
Children and adolescents are often quite resilient; however, they need a strong support system and "tools" to put in their "toolbags" to help prepare them for entrance into adulthood healthfully and successfully.