What can I expect from therapy?
Therapy is a process which involves both the therapist and the client, in fact the therapist is more of a guide, that empowers the individual to recognize the inherent positive qualities they have. Therapy can also give individuals a space to process or "talk through" past trauma's or current challenges. It's a forum for testing out coping strategies, all with the encouragement and support of the therapist. For young ones, their way of "talking" is through play, art, or other mediums which help them learn to express their feelings.
The primary modalities I use in therapy are CBT/cognitive behavioral therapy, DBT/Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, SF/Solution Focused, and Play therapy. I often take a Narrative or Psychodynamic approach when utilizing talk therapy. All these approaches are rooted in research and have been proven to show improvement in the specific areas that I work in. However, one of the single most important factors in the success of therapy is collaboration. Collaboration enables the individual to become their own "co-therapist" which potentially leads to long term success after therapy has ended.
Check out this article on Goodtherapy.org for a better understanding of the "Elements of Good Therapy"
How does therapy work with younger children?
Therapy with younger children ages 3-6 involves a unique approach. At times children this young will want to have a first session with their parent, which is perfectly fine. In fact I will want to talk with a parent/guardian prior to the first session to get background information that may not be appropriate to discuss in front of your child. The first few sessions will be mainly to build rapport and trust, something that can be done with or without the parent in the room. Play therapy is the modality used with children this age. Play therapy encourages children to explore life events through play and language, at their own pace and within their own control. Sessions are normally 40 minutes with the individual child, with the remaining 15 minutes of the session with the parent/s, child and therapist together. An excellent approach to learning how a child's brain develops and engages with experiences around them is Dan Siegel's "The Whole Brain Child."
What will therapy be like with my tween/teen?
Working with tween/teenagers is something I love to do! They are in an exciting but turbulent phase of life and it's fascinating to explore likes and dislikes, goals and dreams. The emotions of this phase of life can often be mind-boggling for parents. Having an outside person for your tween/teen to go to can be highly beneficial. As a therapist I strive to create a place of trust and honesty, and help my tweens/teens learn the skills to problem solve, as well as coping strategies to deal with struggles they may be having. Learning to handle heavy emotions can be a lifelong skill that your tween/teen gains from therapy! At our first session we will all meet together to discuss goals and confidentiality. After this first session, I will meet with your child individually for around 60 mins. We may have family therapy sessions if there are issues better discussed within this setting. Tweens/teens these days have a lot going on- with social media, pressures from school, and navigating friendships. Mindfulness components are often integrated into our sessions and can helpful for this age. For more information about this visit:
http://mindfulnessforteens.com/what-is-mindfulness-anyway/about-mindfulness/