Over the course of my career, I’ve helped young children their families learn to manage anxiety, anger, dysregulation, trauma, and difficulties with transitions.
Ages 0-3
For this age group, an assessment takes place via conversation with parents and then parent and child together; this can also be any consistent caregiver in the child’s life. Based upon the information gathered, recommendations are made for the parents individual needs before incorporating their young child/children into the sessions. Typical modality of treatment includes dyadic work between parent and child with a goal of corregulation and navigation of big feelings to guide toward deeper connection and behavioral change
Ages 3-4 with parent(s)
With children who are 3 and 4 years old, I typically incorporate parents to come into the therapeutic space to increase parental confidence in feeling connection, co-regulation, engagement, identifying and labeling emotions, and providing developmentally appropriate tasks. Sessions include an integration of co-regulation skills and child led play. Also included are parent feedback sessions to allow the clinician and parent(s) to openly provide feedback and assess goals.
““When LITTLE people are overwhelmed by BIG emotions, it’s our job to share our CALM, not to join their chaos””
Children (5-6)
Focused on increasing skills for regulation, attention, and distress tolerance.
Inclusion of independence, choice, and free play.
Feedback session with caregiver(s) about support, concerns, and areas of improvement.
With permission, communication with school counselor or teacher, as necessary, for support.
““Play is not a break from learning. It is endless, delightful, deep, engaging, practical learning. It’s the doorway into the child’s heart!” ~ Vince Gowmon”