Child Issues

Working with children and families is one of my great joys. I have significant experience working with children, teens and their families. My work with children and families is based in family systems theory, which means that I believe that each component and relationship of the family deserves attention as well as the family as a whole. Therapy with me would include sessions with parents, children and sometimes all of us together. I want to be a change agent for your family.

I am currently a Foundational Level Theraplay practitioner and am also pursuing a credential to become a Registered Play Therapist (RPT). The RPT credential is designated to therapists who have a met a certain level of education and as well as a certain level of hands-on experience using play therapy to work with children and families. I have currently completed 2/3 of my training and hands-on experience.

Individual therapy with parent collaboration for treatment of disorders usually diagnosed in childhood, including: ADHD, Social skills distress, and Learning differences

I have advanced post graduate training in the areas of: academic issues, peer conflict, abuse, family dynamics, bullying, cyber bullying, screen/phone addiction, and other challenges that children face today. I can also provide letters to help implement 504 plans and Individualized Education Plans.

Childhood is a period of rapid growth and change. Their lives are often in the hands of their parents, which means that life transitions, move, and family dynamics may happen and bring up complex feelings and fear. As a child therapist, my primary goal is to create a safe space for children to explore the world that is moving around them and help them find their unique place in the chaos. My balance of play and talk will help them develop productive ways to express the complex emotions of life.

Child/Play Therapy helps children to improve communication and interpersonal skills. It focuses on a child's interests and encourages interaction based on the child's favorite activities. Our professionals, collaborate to help children deal with emotional trauma, anxiety, grief, behavioral problems, neurological conditions and mental illness.

I have worked with children and parents for more than 15 yrs as a play therapist and have continued to grow in providing trauma and attachment specializations including training in EMDR for children and teens, sand tray, EFT for kids, Child-Parent-Relationship-Therapy (CPRT) and hold foundational certification in Theraplay-based therapy a kind of play therapy for children and their parents. I was a traveling therapist in England for 9 yrs and have extensive experience in parenting coaching.

We treat and evaluate a large range of child issues including developmental disorders (Autism Spectrum Disorder), anxiety, video game addictions, ADHD, anger management/emotional regulation, parenting strategies, and depression.

Young child treatment is specialized work that can help parents manage defiance, anxiety, meltdowns, sleep, or even toileting. Appointments are used to discuss and practice treatment techniques, which parents then utilize on a daily basis at home and in the community. Because treatment is happening on an ongoing basis, during critical moments, and in more natural environments, treatment is often faster and more effective as compared to other, common child treatments.

I specialize in Behavioral Parent Training. Weekly appointments are used to discuss and practice treatment techniques, which parents then utilize on a daily basis at home and in the community. Because treatment is happening on an ongoing basis, during critical moments, and in more natural environments, treatment is often faster and more effective as compared to other, common child treatments. For young children, I treat everything from tantrums and separation anxiety to toileting and sleep.

If being a parent is difficult, being a kid is near impossible today. I am passionate about working with children and adolescents in close collaboration with parents/care-givers to assist in a myriad of issues, including anxiety, depression, school avoidance, bullying, self-esteem, divorce, co-parenting, and trauma. I utilize a unique combination of interactive play therapy, relational therapy, and EMDR (if appropriate) in order to give your child the most effective therapy experience.

Kids are so fun and difficult to figure out. They can have "big feelings" and responses that confuse us adults. I have extensive experience with Play Therapy. Play is the language of kids and helps them identify and express their feelings, regulate emotions, learn new skills, and process current and past feelings. Whether experiencing parent separation, loss, anger, anxiety, school stress, or disconnection; play can help. I also use books, art, narrative therapy, and skill building.

I have a certificate in Play Therapy and believe strongly in the power of play. Play is a child’s natural language. Using Play Therapy provides a therapeutic approach that is child-centered and evidence based. It helps children process a variety issues from anxiety, traumatic experiences, social difficulties, life changes and many more issues. Through attuning with the child the therapist builds trust, helps with social and emotional regulation and improves communication skills.

At Newport Academy, we believe that true transformation occurs as our teens learn to see themselves as beautiful, bright, and powerful people who can take control of their own lives. In order to help our patients achieve that goal, we maintain the highest possible standards for our services, and commission third-party evaluations of our programming. By consistently gathering and analyzing data related to our outcomes, we’re able to make more strategic and tailored decisions for our patients.

Children's play therapy is a natural, self-guided, self-healing process. Using sand tray, art, games and other tools to guide and facilitate healing, I create a safe space for them to explore all aspects of their inner world.

I spent eight years as a therapist and then Assistant Director of Clinical Services at the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center working with children and non-offending caregivers that experienced neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, or witnessed a violent crime and supervising other therapists. I have extensive training and experience in child development, assessment of children, parenting, play therapy, TF-CBT, and EMDR. I am a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor.

I adore working with youth and discovering their unique potential. Kids learn by doing. In sessions, I teach acceptance and commitment therapy skills to help children manage emotions and build resilience. This can be done by using activities to teach about feelings and coping skills. I may also teach mindfulness and breathing techniques as a way to self-regulate. Most importantly, I help kids the skills they learned by playing games or solving problems.

Working with children and families is one of my great joys. I have significant experience working with children, teens and their families. My work with children and families is based in family systems theory, which means that I believe that each component and relationship of the family deserves attention. Therapy with me would include sessions with parents, child/teen and at times, all of us together. I want to be a supportive and caring change agent for your family.

At Newport Academy, we believe that true transformation occurs as our teens learn to see themselves as beautiful, bright, and powerful people who can take control of their own lives. In order to help our patients achieve that goal, we maintain the highest possible standards for our services, and commission third-party evaluations of our programming. By consistently gathering and analyzing data related to our outcomes, we’re able to make more strategic and tailored decisions for our patients.