Psychotherapy can help alleviate symptoms of common difficulties such as depression and anxiety as well as offer support and guidance through significant life changing events such as divorce, trauma, grief and loss. Through psychotherapy, you can gain insight into your behavioral and emotional responses and begin changing ongoing patterns of behaviors, feelings, and interpersonal relationships. You can gain acceptance and deeper understanding of yourself as an individual and make strides toward fulfilling your potential and increasing overall happiness.
We employ comprehensive and individualized approach to psychotherapy with children. We recognize that every child is a unique individual and thus no one approach to treatment will work for all children. A combination of play therapy, cognitive-behavioral techniques, narrative therapy, art therapy and DIR®/Floortime™ approaches may be used depending on each child's needs, individual profile, and relevant research. Since relationship is one of the strongest vehicles to change, parents and significant others are involved in the treatment process and are viewed as partners in the therapeutic effort. Upon need, some sessions may be reserved for parents alone focusing on developmental support and guidance and positive parenting strategies. In the therapeutic environment your child will create a safe space to share and explore their thoughts and feelings, increase developmental capacities, become a more competent problem solver and increase his or her self esteem. In case your child requires other therapies, or receives support at school, we will also be in a close contact with other professionals in order to provide comprehensive multidisciplinary team approach to address all of your child's needs. Upon need, consultation to teachers, advocacy for special education services and training of support staff may be provided.
The goal of the diagnostic assessment is not only to arrive to an appropriate diagnosis, but first and foremost to help you understand your child's strengths and needs and make informed decisions regarding the best ways to help support their developmental, educational, social and emotional progress. As a first step to the assessment process I meet with the child's parents alone and discuss their developmental history and current concerns. Depending on the child's and family's needs, the next step may or may not include formal standardized testing. If standardized testing will not be employed, a play based assessment will be performed. As a parent you can expect to be an active participant in the assessment process. As well, assessment process usually includes an observation at the child's school or preschool setting. At the conclusion of the assessment process I meet with the parents for a feedback session where findings of the assessment and recommendations are discussed.
Group psychotherapy provides an additional medium for children to explore feelings, find solutions to common problems, practice social skills and support each other. It is often in a group setting that a child is able to discover that he/she is not alone in dealing with their difficulties. Through careful support and facilitation group activities are aimed at promoting self esteem, social skills, problem solving and emotional regulation capacities in a natural environment. For some of the groups, a parent support component may also be available.
Please refer to the following flyers to learn about specific groups that are currently available:
Developmental Play Group
Parent Support Group
Social Communication Group