Services and Specialities
Individual Counseling
Family Counseling
Parent / Caregiver Support
Group Counseling
Treatment Issues
Trauma & Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Adoption
Anxiety, Panic, Social Phobia
Depression
Social Skills
Autism
Behavioral Issues
Family Conflict
Grief & Loss
Parenting
Relationship & Attachment Issues
School Issues
Self Esteem
Self-Harming
Chronic Illness
Self-Identity Issues
Women's Issues
Play Therapy
I Believe in the Power of Play!!!
Play is the natural way children communicate and play has been described as the “language of childhood.” Play therapy allows children, adolescents and at times even adults the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings regarding their world and relationships through their play without having to use complex words to describe things that are challenging or confusing for them. Engaging in play therapy helps to create an emotionally safe therapeutic environment that enhances a child’s ability to express thoughts and feelings while engaging in problem solving. When working with adolescents, directive forms of play therapy can help to reduce resistance to more traditional talk therapy approaches. At times when working with adults it is very appropriate and helpful to the therapy process to lighten the mood of a session by incorporating humor and play based activities to help an adult client explore an issue they are struggling with. I practice both directive and non-directive forms of play therapy when working with clients depending on their needs and the goals that are being worked on. I utilize play therapy approaches when working with individuals, families and groups.
Please visit the APT Parents Corner Home Page for more details related to Play Therapy.
Animal Assisted Play Therapy ™ (AAPT) fully integrates play therapy with animal-assisted therapy.
When utilizing AAPT during therapy sessions I partner with my dogs while choosing activities that take into consideration a client’s goals as well as the dog’s strengths and special traits. Currently Takoda (Chocolate Lab) is certified in Animal Assisted Play Therapy™ with the International Institute for Animal Assisted Play Therapy® and Phinn (Yellow Lab) has completed his training and is awaiting his Animal Assisted Play Therapy Certification. In an AAPT session play and playfulness are encouraged as a way to help clients express their feelings, build relationships and develop social skills. In the process goals related to areas such as self-efficacy, attachments, empathy, self-regulation, flexible thinking and problem solving can be explored. In the process of becoming certified as an AAPT dog the dogs are assessed for appropriateness for working with people of all ages. I put a great amount of time into training the dogs and socializing them from a young age to help them be well-rounded and prepared for this type of work. Please visit the International Institute for Animal Assisted Play Therapy website for more details related to AAPT.
Animal-Assisted Play Therapy
BARK Group
Building Acceptance Respect & Kindness
The BARK Group is a social skills group for children and adolescents that focuses on helping group members Build Acceptance Respect & Kindness towards all. This group is grounded in the principles of Animal Assisted Play Therapy™ and I facilitate the group while partnering with my certified AAPT dog Takoda. The group promotes a nonjudgmental safe environment where group members can have fun, feel supported and learn important social skills while interacting with peers of similar age. Elementary, Middle and High School age groups are being formed.