Disorders of Childhood

Assessment, diagnosis and treatment of emotional and behavioral difficulties experienced by children and adolescents. Tantrums, withdrawal, refusal, emotional shut down or overreaction, social awkwardness and other behaviors can be symptoms of many disorders of childhood -- Anxiety, ADHD, Autism, Oppositional-Defiance, Depression and even Trauma can all look the same on the outside but must be treated in very different and specific ways.  

Adolescent Uncertainty

Many teens are trapped by their perceptions of perfection, fear of failing and dread associated with disappointing themselves or others.  For teens stuck in this negative cycle the goal is to learn to live mindfully in the present by letting go of the past, accepting the moment, and embracing rather than fearing the future.  It is to live "alive" and not "afraid." Research has shown quite convincingly that early resolution of emotional conflict is a major contributing factor of adult contentment.  When you are able to get underneath the truth of what something is, rather than what you wish it to be, you can then let go of the anger, and learn to identify, nurture, and celebrate strength.

 

Body Image

Body image, a mental idea about your physical body and how you look, is a common struggle for many adolescents, boys and girls alike. Body Image is very vulnerable to distortion and easily influenced by the outside world.  Healthy body image means that you are comfortable with the body that you have. It does not mean that you think your body is perfect, just that you accept yourself as you are, and commit to loving and caring for the  world.  Healthy body image means that you are comfortable with the body that you have. It does not mean that you think your body is perfect, just that you accept yourself as you are, and commit to loving and caring for the body and life you have. 

 

Educationally Related Emotional & Behavioral Health

Children and teens often find school a challenging environment and frequently respond by exhibiting behaviors that interfere with their school success.  Perfectionism, social anxiety, impulsivity, learning challenges, peer relationships, self-image, panic attacks and conflictual home life are just a few of the many social-emotional reasons that students do not achieve.  Individual, group, or family counseling as well as implementation of school supports such as a 504 plan or IEP may be of benefit for students who struggle at school and home.  Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE) can also be conducted, either privately or through contract by your school district. 

 

Psycho-education for Parents, Siblings and Teachers

Phrases such as executive functioning, parenting plans, positive discipline, neuro-typical, educational impact, psychopathology and emotionally dysregulated have become a regular part of discussions regarding mental and behavioral health.  Yet, many of us aren't quite clear of what these phrases entail, or how they relate to our daily experiences with those we work with, play with and live with.  Anyone seeking to better understand how to change tantrum behavior, create a positive and consistent parent plan in one or more households, strengthen parent-child relationships, create bonds between siblings, help siblings of disabled brother and sisters develop their own identity, become more understanding of friends and co-workers, manage a more functional classroom, or just generally learn about common diagnosis such as depression, anxiety, ADHD and PTSD would benefit from psycho-education. Depending on your goal, psycho-education can be accomplished through individual therapy, small group sessions, training classes, or group presentations. 

 

Parenting Plans

Whether legally mandated, or decision to seek parenting assistance, the objective of developing a parenting plans is to help parents and family members come to a resolution regarding best-practice parenting.  The benefit of a child custody evaluation is to have a professional who is knowledgeable about children, families, and child custody issues give an objective viewpoint. In a custody evaluation the law directs the clinician to look at the health, safety, and welfare of the child. The goal is to create a plan that allows for both parents to have meaningful and substantial participation in their child's life while first and foremost assuring that the child is safe, cared for, and loved. 

 

Transitioning to Adulthood

A young adult in today’s society faces issues and challenges that did not exist, or were unacknowledged, in previous generations.  Psychotherapy for young adults may help the client explore their identity, including their values, interests, and questions of who they are in the world. Instability is addressed for clients who may experience a feeling of being “in between” one stage of life and the next, often striving for independence from parents but needing to depend on them for financial or emotional support.  Therapy may be useful to explore a variety of questions such as "What is keeping me tied to my parents? Is it okay to be different from my parents? Why does the idea of independence make me anxious? Do I really know myself? How do I fit into the world?  And, "what are my values, goals, and life expectations?