Most of us, at one time or another, feel inadequate or overwhelmed as a parent. Whether our child is suffering from symptoms we can't "fix", struggling at school or socially, or whether we find ourselves responding poorly to a difficult situation--that's all part of parenting. Sometimes parents are unsure of what realistic, healthy parenting actually looks like and many are fearful of making mistakes that could have longterm effects. My focus is on balancing healthy self-esteem for children while helping parents establish clear, firm limits and reasonable expectations. Seeking some help from an experienced, professional source can go a long way to easing parental worry and the feeling that you're in it alone.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
What ages do you work with?
I work with children over the age of 16 as well as older teens and young adults. I also do a great deal of one-on-one consultation work in "parent only" sessions for parents of children between the ages of 5 and 12. I address such issues as childhood fears (e.g. separation anxiety, school refusal, physical and emotional symptoms of anxiety), behavioral difficulties or simply ways to improve the quality of family life.
What issues do you treat?
My main focus of treatment tends to be around anxiety and/or depression issues. Children are remarkably receptive to gaining a sense of control over their difficulties; I work with parents on concrete, specific ways they can help their child. With teenagers, I also address the struggles and stresses of currently being a teen: the pressure to use drugs and alcohol, sexual pressures and choices, relationship/social issues and finding ways to stay healthy in a very challenging world.
Do you work jointly with parents and children?
I work with parents and children together and also individually. Quite often each party benefits from the opportunity to talk alone initially and then are better able to utilize joint sessions later. I work with each situation according to what family members need and are most comfortable with. Quite often teenagers prefer to meet individually for the first few sessions, creating a sense of connection and trust before we move to family work.
What experience do you have working with children and teens?
I have spent several years working exclusively with teenagers in both inpatient and outpatient settings and in the past decade, have also worked a great deal with families and younger children. My experience has taught me the importance of not only family history and current circumstances, but also of developmental issues and how important it is for parents to have the knowledge and skills to navigate those phases and changes with their child. I am also a parent myself so I very much know the joys and challenges that parenthood brings.