Play Therapy

I am trained as a Marriage and Family Therapist, which means I approach all emotional and behavioral difficulties through the lens of systems. I look for how family systems and larger community systems influence and are influenced by your child. Sometimes, making adjustments to a child’s role or experience in these systems is the most important change we can make, leading to much greater freedom and peace for your child. 

In addition to this systems lens, I also draw from developmental theories. Most frequently, I use Stanley Greenspan’s wonderful, joy- and connection-oriented model to assess and promote further socioemotional development. This intersects with the NeuroRelational Framework, which is a holistic framework for assessing and treating children while paying attention to their sensory processing, executive functioning, basic regulation, and emotional experience.

In all my work with children, I use play as my primary medium for making connections and guiding treatment. I often draw from the Oaklander model of Gestalt play therapy. When we are specifically addressing attachment issues, I also make use of Theraplay and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy. I believe in equipping children with knowledge and tools, and so I will also teach them concepts from CBT when that seems like a helpful fit. For OCD, I use ERP, and for trauma, I often use parts work or EMDR.