As a child is faced with new situations, demands and expectations, it is common for the child to experience emotional ups and downs characterized by feelings of sadness, fear and anger. These reactions tend to be short-lived, however, and usually do not significantly interfere with the child's life. However, occasionally a child's response to life's pressures may become severe, and the parents' attempts to help their child may be unsuccessful. At times such as these, professional assistance may be warranted.

I work with children at all developmental stages with all types of challenges. It's rewarding work, because there's nothing more gratifying than helping a child. <

I have a long history of working with children and teenagers with attention disorders, autistic spectrum disorders, auditory processing disorder, addiction, and eating disorders, often working with their families as well.

Childhood and adolescence are full of pivotal passages, each with their own stressors and issues. Fully appreciating these stages is necessary in order to understand the behaviors and symptoms that fall beyond what our culture considers "acceptable." Talking with a therapist can help determine what is typical behavior and when a parent should be concerned.

Child Therapy

In order to make therapy effective and desirable for children, it helps to use specific therapeutic tools. Children in treatment do not generally come forth with revelations about themselves, especially those that may cause psychological pain, anxiety, shame, or guilt. The use of certain tools, such as the Sand Tray and Board Games, enables children to provide such information in a way that is nonthreatening. In short, it enables the therapist to find out what is going on in the child's mind in the context of a friendly and often enjoyable format - so universally appealing to children.

Sand Tray

Sand Tray therapy is a method used to assess the psychological well-being of children and adults by analyzing how they express themselves through the manipulation of objects in small, tabletop sandboxes (or trays). Sand Tray participants are invited to create a diorama (a story or miniature world) by arranging toy people, animals, and other items in the sandtray. The therapist evaluates the participant's choice and use of objects to draw various conclusions about the subject's psychological health. This non-invasive method works especially well with those individuals who are young or have trouble comprehending and talking about even the most difficult issues, such as domestic or child abuse, incest, or the death of a family member.

Game Use In Therapy

Using board games as a therapeutic tool helps facilitate communication in therapy because children are attracted to and enjoy games. The variety of games used in therapy range from traditional board games such as checkers to specialized games targeted at specific therapeutic problems. Many board games are now being developed specifically for use with children in therapy, enabling therapists to learn more about their child patient's psychological processes.

Therapy Can Be Fun and Successful

Therapeutic tools like the Sand Tray and Board Games have proved helpful for shortening the psychotherapeutic process by quickly and predictably providing the therapist with information about the child's underlying psychological processes. Information that might have taken weeks or even months to elicit may even be obtained during the first few sessions. Even children who are more freely engaged in direct discussion and insight-oriented therapy will find it a pleasurable additional psychotherapeutic experience.

Adolescent and Teen Therapy

Adolescents face their own unique set of problems. It's tough being a teenager in today's culture. The temptations and choices are vast and sometimes kids need help sorting through their feelings, morals and goals with the guidance of a professional therapist.

Adolescents who work with a therapist who specializes in working with teens have the advantage of knowing that there is a safe place for them to go and express their thoughts and feelings without being judged or ridiculed. Your teen may not want to talk with peers or with you - she may feel most comfortable sharing with just one person. That's when individual therapy can help.

For adolescents, the approach of the therapist needs to reflect their current life experience. Therefore, "talk therapy" may or may not to be as effective as therapy that involves activity or experience (such as experiential therapy, play therapy, and art therapy). These forms of therapy allow symbolic expression of internal conflicts.

It isn't always easy to know if your teen could benefit from therapy. Are his mood swings normal? Are the changes in her personality simply part of growing up? Or does your adolescent need professional help to address a more serious issue? The following are just some of the more serious problems that teens are faced with. <

Substance Abuse and Eating Disorders
Whether your child has as substance abuse problem or an eating disorders, the results are similarly devastating. Almost 8% of American teenagers need treatment for addiction or behavioral problems, according to the National Center for Addiction and Substance Abuse. That puts the number of teen addicts in the millions. Therapy is one of the greatest tool for helping teenagers with these problems. I use nutritional counseling in addition to psychotherapy to address the underlying issues of substance abuse and addiction.

Helping Children in Therapy
What can your child expect from their therapy sessions? First of all, their opinions can be expressed without judgment or criticism. They will be able to better understand their problems (or perception of problems). If they're struggling to figure out what they want out of life, teen therapy will be the place to sort it out.

With a better understanding of themselves, your child will be equipped to deal with the challenges that everyone faces on an average day. Successful therapy is a win-win situation. Not only will your child greatly benefit, but your family will reap the rewards as well. <

Parents often are unsure if they should be present when their children attend therapy sessions. Each therapist has a different philosophy and the answer may depend on the age and diagnosis of the child. Here are some tips to consider:

• A child is a part of a family and that context should be considered. A first visit to a therapist might include a chat with the child, another with the parents and a third with the entire group.
• Sometimes children open up when Mom and Dad are not around. This is especially true of teenagers and adolescents who may appreciate the privacy.
• Younger children might be anxious without parents around. Sometimes a therapist can play and talk with the child while Mom or Dad is reading nearby.
• Some behavioral problems can be addressed with the parent, instead of the child. The parent picks up tips and then tries them at home without saddling the child with the anxiety that might accompany an office visit.