TREATMENT APPROACH
Neuro-Biologically
Driven
As science continues to develop, the role of the brain and nervous system circuitry has become central to understanding and treating mental health disorders. Concepts such as Polyvagal Theory (Stephen Porges), Interpersonal Neurobiology (Daniel Siegel), and somatic healing (Peter Levine) inform how we conceptualize your experiences. Treatment is driven toward integrating the brain and body in adaptive functioning.
Trauma
Informed
According to a well documented CDC study, 66% of people have experienced trauma in their childhood (Anda & Felitti et al., 1998; ACE Study). Because traumatic experiences are so prevalent and shape how we make meaning of ourselves and the world, we screen all clients to determine the impacts of life stressors on their current mental health.
Evidence
Based
If you just received a cancer diagnosis, you would want to know the best treatment available to reduce or eliminate your disease. Likewise, you deserve the option of empirically researched therapy to address your or your child’s specific stressors and symptoms. We will educate you regarding the Evidence Based Treatments (EBT) available to address your specific concerns, provide EBT intervention, or do our best to refer you to someone who can. More about evidence-based practice here.
Attachment
Conscious
Attachment is the foundation of all relationships. Attachment security occurs when a parent creates a space where their child can be consistently seen, accepted, soothed, and loved. The early attachment connection between parent and child informs how the child will experience other relationships throughout their lifetime (Internal Working Model). We employ an attachment lens in our conceptualization and treatment and can help you to achieve the ability to better love and be loved, and connect with your own child (Earned Security).
Adoption
Competent
Adoption has, at its core, a component of grief and loss. My colleague, Dr. Rachel Robert, said it best, “before adoption can be a win-win, it must first be a lose-lose.” The loss is experienced, to varying degrees, by birth parents, adoptees, and adoptive parents. In my 20+ years working in the foster and adoption sphere, and in my personal experience as a fost-adopt parent, I have curated many interventions to support the developmental processing of adoption grief and loss, and enhance the attachment between adoptive child(ren), sibling(s), and parent(s). More about finding an adoption competent therapist here.
Culturally
Sensitive
Diversity is the spice of life. We are interested in knowing your personal story and how the intersectionality of your identities, culture, and family history impact your worldview and the concerns you bring to therapy. We have a special interest and training in spirituality and its integration into health and wellness.
Family Systems
Adapted
In the words of Donald Winnicott, “there is no such thing as a baby, there is a baby and someone." Parents are the experts on their child, and we are the experts on pediatric psychology. Our job is to support you, the parent, in becoming your child’s counselor and advocate. After all, we might see your child one hour a week for a season, but you will be the parent for a lifetime. Equipping you with the skills to better understand and meet your child’s needs is paramount.
Developmentally
Tailored
Most kids have no patience for traditional talk therapy. And why should they? Children learn best through play, and therapy should be no different. We will engage your child using developmentally tailored techniques informed by pedagogy. Play-based activities are the norm in our work with children and are folded into our delivery of Evidence Based Treatment (EBT) modalities.