Psychotherapy & Grief Counseling for Children, Adolescents, Adults and Couples.
Children
My experience with children comes from my work as an intensive in-home therapist and clinical supervisor in the IICAPS (Intensive In-Home Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services) program and an out-patient provider. I have worked with children and their parents to address both routine and more intense issues of childhood and development. My approach is determined by the needs of the client and my own foundation in behavioral and cognitive behavioral therapy. An important aspect of treatment is parent (guardian) consultation, psycho-education and the utilization of established treatment techniques and skills outside of the therapy room.
I work collaboratively with schools, psychiatrists, pediatricians and other important providers in the child's life to establish an effective continuum of care.
Issues I have successfully treated:
Anxiety (both social and general)
Depression
Behavior problems at home and at school
School avoidance
Divorce and/or separation of parents
Loss of a loved one
Critical Illness of a loved one
Sibling conflict
Adolescents
My experience with adolescents is also derived from my role as an in-home therapist and most recently as an out-patient provider. I have worked with this age group on issues specific to this often tumultuous period of development including identity development and healthy separation from parents/family of origin. It is most important at this age to feel heard and validated which is why I take the time necessary at the onset of treatment to develop a trusting and supportive therapeutic relationship. I incorporate humor and a healthy dose of reality as well as concrete cognitive behavioral techniques to encourage the development of independent symptom management skills.
Issues I have successfully treated:
Anxiety (both social and general)
Depression
Relationship conflict
Academic performance/pressure to perform
Concerns related to sexuality including sexual identity
Loss of a loved one
Critical Illness of a loved one
Adults
I have a wide range of experience working with adults in a variety of settings including in-patient substance abuse, mandated group therapy for Domestic Violence offenses, in-home therapy with parents and most recently out-patient treatment with individuals and couples. My treatment approach can be as varied as the issues I am helping to address. I have a foundation in cognitive behavioral therapy but I have also incorporated other treatment modalities (REBT, Motivational Interviewing, Family Systems) with great success. As with any other population, I believe that the relationship between therapist and client is the key component to change regardless of the treatment approach.
Issues I have successfully treated:
Anxiety (both social and general)
Depression
Parenting skills/concerns
Divorce/separation
Relationship Conflict (couples)
Infertility
Concerns related to sexuality including sexual identity
Loss of a loved one
Critical Illness
Grief
In my former role as the Manager of Clinical Services for a local bereavement/critical illness program I worked directly with individuals coping with the loss of a loved one or adjusting to a recent critical illness diagnosis. I have supported children, teens, adults and families as they navigated the intense and fluctuating emotions associated with loss. Although we will all experience grief at some point in our lives, it can still feel completely overwhelming and that we are unprepared to cope with this life changing event. My role is to provide a safe, supportive and nurturing environment where grief can happen naturally and healing can come with time.