INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPY

Let’s face it. Being a parent is tough! When you add in challenging behaviors and sensitivities, it’s enough to make any parent want to “quit.”  

​With pressure coming from all angles, such as teachers, school administration, friends and family, having the right guidance to help find solutions to these behavior problems is so important. 

Behavior therapy is a proven way to help children and young adults push through their challenges, safely and effectively. Using the most innovative techniques and therapy modalities, parents have seen a dramatic decrease in their child’s negative behavior, a huge increase in their overall happiness and self-esteem, as well as a positive change in their child-parent relationship … a win-win-win for all involved!

Signs and symptoms of attention deficit disorder may cause dysfunction in important areas of daily living, including home and personal relationships, career, and academics. When it comes to managing ADHD, it is crucial to consider what areas in executive functioning may be affecting the day-to-day performance. According to Peg Dawson, Ed. D, Coaching: “is a strategy in which a coach works with a person to set goals designed to enhance executive functioning skills, in a result of goal attainment.”   

Coaching sessions differ from clinical psychotherapy in the sense that 1 or 2 goals are tackled after an initial evaluation, and those will be accomplished through a set of strategies implementation. Findings have determined that Executive Function coaching works best if a 10 to 15 minute session is implemented daily (4 to 5 times weekly). My daily mission and vision will consist in monitor progress, cheer you up through step accomplishments, and target obstacles impeding you from attaining your goal. Please note that coaching sessions will NOT be covered by insurance. A 15-minute free consultation will be provided before the initial evaluation.  

Often unrecognized, children and young adults can become depressed, which is different from the normal “blues.” If the sadness interferes with normal social activities, interests, schoolwork, or family life, it may indicate that he or she is suffering from depression. Although child depression is serious, it is also very treatable with the right therapy and coping techniques. 

Children suffering from depression may express some of these behaviors:

• Irritability 
• Continuous feelings of sadness and hopelessness
• Disinterest in social life 
• Heightened sensitivity to rejection
• Increase or decrease in appetite (any change) 
• Sleeplessness or excessive sleep (any change)
• Increased crying
• Difficulty concentrating
• Fatigue/exhaustion
• Stomach aches
• Headaches 
• Decrease in school grades

There are many therapy and coping techniques that have proven successful in treating children with depression. In addition, nutrition plays a big part. This multidisciplinary approach to treating depression in children has been shown to have the best clinical outcomes, not only in the short term, but in the long term too. Teaching children life skills and how to cope with stress is a gift they can take with them on their journey in life forever. 

Many children, teens and adults struggle with anxiety at some point in their lives. Anxiety can be very distressing and debilitating. As a parent, watching your child experience extreme fear and worry is heartbreaking, and can often lead to a feeling of helplessness. When anxiety leads children to begin avoiding situations and limiting their activities, that’s when it’s time to reach out for help. Anxiety that is left unaddressed can also lead to poor self-esteem, poor self-confidence, and can put a child at greater risk for developing depression in the future.

Fortunately, anxiety is one of the most researched mental health concerns and there are extremely effective short term-treatments that have shown significant improvements in a relatively short amount of time. With a customized therapy approach, any child, teen or adult can reduce their anxiety and increase their happiness and overall self-esteem. 

Even in the best of circumstances, change is hard. Whether it’s a new school, a new sibling, divorced parents, the transition to college, or a new job, change can bring up many uneasy emotions, and knowing how to manage and cope with those emotions is important in order to avoid depression, anxiety and other serious mental health issues. 

There are wonderful therapy techniques that can help families or individuals having trouble with accepting or adjusting to a life transition. Learning healthy ways to cope will certainly lead to an easier shift.