Children often lack the language necessary to communicate what they feel. It is our job as parents, and my job as a therapist to help put words to a child's inner life. In therapy, a child is allowed to express his experiences and feelings through a natural, self-guided process. It is through play therapy that a child's fantasies and the symbolic meanings of his or her play can be used as a medium for understanding and supporting what a child may not yet be able to say. The birth of a new sibling, a death in the family, a divorce or separation, or the start of a new school can cause emotional conflict for a child. A child's inner life is often manifested in actions, actions which cause parents, caregivers and educators grief. These can include, academic difficulty, behavioral problems, conflict with peers, sleep disturbances, eating & food intake issues, and difficulty around transitions.
Teenagers seek assistance with issues including increased stress, depression and anxiety as well as concerns about their academic progress, daily living, high school life or relationships with others. Therapy can be an opportunity to talk about issues that are of concern with an objective person who can help to develop effective coping skills in ways that enable one to be more effective in managing life's challenges down the road. I provide a private space where whatever is discussed stays in the room between myself and my patient.