Children

“A person is a person, no matter how small.” -Dr. Seuss

As a parent and/or caregiver it can be hard to know when the ‘right time’ is to bring your child to therapy. Some examples of circumstances that may cause a change in a child’s emotional state or behavior include the death of loved one, parents divorcing, sibling relationships, moving from one place to the other, or unexpected stress in their home environment. If you notice your child displaying any of the following symptoms, it may be a good idea to check in with someone. Has your child had any significant shifts (increases or decreases) in their eating, sleeping, or mood? Have they been withdrawing from friends, family, or activities they otherwise enjoy? Have you noticed them engaging in negative behaviors such as fighting, yelling, or breaking things more frequently? Have they been displaying repetitive self-destructive behaviors such as hair pulling, excessive skin picking, or self-harming behaviors? Children often experience many of the same emotional and behavioral difficulties that adults do but don’t have the same access to the resources and tools necessary to process them in a healthy productive way. Therapy can be a great place for children to process their internal world through the use of play and other expressive forms.

For children, play comes naturally. It is a window into their imagination and also a look at how they are perceiving the world around them. I use play therapy as my primary technique when working with children as a way for them to communicate their thoughts, emotions, and challenges. I also use different styles of art as a form of expression that can be especially useful for children who are more anxious or less inclined to play. I work with parents and/or caregivers to set goals for their children. These goals could be focused on creating healthy communication between you and your child, helping to shift destructive behavior(s), teaching them skills to process anger or other strong emotions in a healthy and non-destructive way, or simply being a safe place for your kiddo to express themselves in an open and honest way without judgment. Whatever the goals might be, I am here to help you and your child live a happier, healthier, more cohesive life together.