Play Therapy
Why Play Therapy?
A child’s first and most natural language is play. A therapist can enter a child’s world through their play which establishes relationship and builds trust. Play therapy encourages free expression and allows the child to work through difficult emotions or behaviors while finding healthier ways to express themselves. The goal is not necessarily for a child to verbalize their difficulties, but for the experience and self-discovery to translate into their daily world and environment through their development of self-awareness and healthy expression of emotion. We work with parents outside of the play therapy sessions to collaborate and provide feedback in ways you can support your child during this process. The collaboration and working together allows the child to experience the consistency between therapy and home which encourage the positive changes and growth in the child and their environment.
There are two predominant styles of play therapy, directive and non-directive. Non-directive play therapy allows the child to lead and the freedom to work toward their own solutions at their own pace and Directive play therapy incorporates more structure and direction during the play sessions. Both styles are evidenced based and goal oriented. Our therapists, together with parents, customize an individual treatment plan for each child and outline goals for therapy. Parent sessions are scheduled after every 4-5 sessions to collaborate, communicate progress and revise goals.
To learn more about Play Therapy visit https://www.a4pt.org/default.aspx
Adolescent/Teen Therapy
Adolescents require a therapist that is familiar with their social, emotional and cognitive developmental stages. The stages of adolescence include early adolescence from age 10 to 14, mid-adolescence from age 15 to 17, and late adolescence from age 18 to 24. Each stage can bring unique challenges for the teen as they formulate their identity and independence while navigating their social environment. During this transitional time, teens will be making choices and realizations regarding friendships, academics, sexuality, gender, identity, drugs, and alcohol.
A therapeutic relationship allows the teen to have their own space to navigate these changes along with their thoughts and feelings while also improving communication between teen and parents. When a teen feels heard and understood they become more self-aware, develop higher self-esteem and experience improved relationships.
What can a teen expect in a counseling environment? Depending on the age, preferences and interest of each person, a therapist working with teens will spend time to get to know their client through conversation and activities. It is common to spend time in a session playing a game, painting/drawing or participating in a focused activity that facilitates awareness and understanding of the client and his or her experiences.
Parent Coaching
Parent therapy/coaching is a type of therapeutic support that is beneficial for addressing a wide range of challenges that parents may face in their journey of raising children. During the initial appointment, the therapist and parent(s), will explore the current issues and dynamic of the family and together make a plan for the following sessions. Most parents experience positive changes in their families within 3-4 sessions and the greatest benefit when attending regularly for 3 to 4 months.
Benefits of Parental Therapy/Coaching:
Behavior management: Parent coaching can assist parents in understanding and addressing challenging behaviors in their children, such as tantrums, aggression, defiance, or lack of cooperation. Coaches can provide strategies and techniques to promote positive behavior and effective discipline methods.
Communication and relationship building: Parent coaching can enhance communication skills between parents and their children, as well as within the family as a whole. Coaches can help parents develop more effective and empathetic communication styles, fostering stronger and healthier relationships with their kids.
Parenting through different stages of development: Each stage of a child's development presents unique challenges. Parent coaching can support parents in understanding their child's needs at various ages and guide them in adjusting their parenting approach accordingly, from infancy through adolescence.
Managing parental stress and self-care: Raising children can be demanding and stressful. Parent coaching can help parents recognize and manage their stress levels, providing tools to maintain their well-being and promoting self-care practices. A balanced and emotionally healthy parent can better support their child's growth and development.
The parents as a couple: Parents become focused on all that has to be accomplished in their homes and careers and can lose sight of the couple that they are. Communication and connection can suffer which compounds the stress and tension parenting can bring when dealing with challenging circumstances.
Overall, parent coaching offers personalized guidance and support to parents, empowering them to navigate the complexities of parenting and create a positive and nurturing environment for their children and the family.
Individual Therapy
We embrace a dynamic and adaptive approach to healing. Our therapists are skilled in using a multimodal approach, tailoring the treatment to your distinct needs and preferences.
In this journey, we begin with weekly appointments that provide a steady foundation for growth. Our therapists meet you where you are, fostering an atmosphere of trust and collaboration. Through a combination of evidence-based techniques, including cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, EMDR and mindfulness approaches, we work together to address your concerns and facilitate progress.
By honoring your unique experiences, we create a space for exploration and insight. Our goal is to equip you with practical tools to navigate challenges while delving into the underlying factors that shape your thoughts and behaviors. With a commitment to your well-being, we gradually adapt the therapy process as you progress, ensuring that the path to healing is both effective and meaningful.
Step by step, session by session, we embark on a transformative journey, cultivating resilience and fostering positive change. Your therapeutic experience is as individual as you are, and together, we forge a path towards a brighter, more fulfilling future.
Relationship Therapy
Relationship therapy, also known as couples therapy or marriage counseling, is a specialized form of counseling aimed at improving and enhancing the dynamics between partners. This therapeutic approach can help couples navigate challenges, improve communication, and cultivate a healthier, more satisfying relationship. Sometimes, relationship therapy can help a couple explore whether or not they are able to stay in a relationship with one another.
The following are components of relationship/couples therapy:
Effective Communication: Relationship therapy provides a safe space for couples to learn and practice effective communication skills. Therapists facilitate open and honest conversations, helping partners express their thoughts, feelings, and needs constructively.
Conflict Resolution: Couples often face conflicts and disagreements. Therapy equips partners with tools to manage and resolve conflicts in a respectful and productive manner. Learning to address disagreements can strengthen the relationship rather than weaken it.
Understanding Patterns: Therapists help couples identify patterns of behavior and communication that might contribute to tension or misunderstandings. Recognizing these patterns allows couples to make conscious changes for more positive interactions.
Building Empathy: Relationship therapy encourages partners to understand each other's perspectives and experiences. Cultivating empathy helps partners connect on a deeper level and fosters emotional intimacy.
Addressing Specific Issues: Whether it's financial stress, parenting challenges, or intimacy concerns, relationship therapy provides a platform to address specific issues that might be affecting the relationship.
Rebuilding Trust: For couples dealing with breaches of trust, therapy offers a structured approach to rebuilding trust and repairing the relationship.
Setting Goals: Therapists assist couples in setting clear and achievable goals for their relationship. These goals provide a roadmap for progress and guide the therapy process.
Rediscovering Intimacy: Relationship therapy helps partners explore and enhance emotional and physical intimacy. This could involve discussing needs, desires, and ways to reignite the connection.
Healthy Boundaries: Establishing healthy boundaries is crucial in any relationship. Therapists help couples define and respect each other's boundaries, promoting mutual respect and understanding.
Preventing Future Issues: Through skill-building and insight, couples gain the tools they need to navigate challenges even after therapy has ended. This helps prevent future issues from escalating.
Relationship therapy is a collaborative process that requires willingness from both partners to engage and make positive changes. With the guidance of a trained therapist, couples can transform their relationship dynamics, deepen their bond, and create a more fulfilling partnership.