Clinical Mental Health and Therapy Services
Mental health issues affect everyone.
And every therapist takes a different approach to therapy, often working within a framework that aligns with their training and personal values. Whether I am working with a child or an adult, I root myself in a person centered approach. I’m here to convey unconditional support and autonomy in our efforts to explore the self, optimize relationships, and foster growth.
I wish I were proficient in all therapeutic approaches and could work with any case; however, I chose to hone my skills toward a handful of areas where I felt a connection and desire to further my knowledge. I am certified in Child Centered Play Therapy and am trained in EMDR (read more on these approaches below), both of which are useful frameworks for addressing different mental health struggles. Much of my focus is centered around the following areas of growth:
Acknowledging and healing from trauma
Understanding attachment and its effect on relationships
Managing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and life transitions/adjustment
Exploration of self concept, values, and worth
Skill building for initiating lasting, adaptive coping and behavior changes
Additionally, when I can’t help, I can assist in connecting you to the appropriate resources. This can includes case management, medication management, peer support, therapeutic groups, community engagement, respite care, in-home support services and more!
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a heavily researched and empirically supported evidence-based practice—which, in short, means it’s proven to be effective and safe when used as a treatment approach. EMDR protocols were originally formulated to treat simple and complex trauma; but EMDR is now revered as an effective treatment for nearly any mental health issue.
I was trained in EMDR through an EMDRIA-approved trainer: EMDR of the Rockies in Denver, CO. I have since taken advanced trainings in providing EMDR to children.
Child-Centered Play Therapy
I first began my play therapy training in the summer of 2019. My post graduate work in play therapy continued over the course of the next three years through the Center for Play Therapy, the first established play therapy education program via the University of North Texas. I completed my full certification in Child Centered Play Therapy in February, 2022 and is a Certified Child Centered Play Therapist.
Pulled from UNT’s CCPT website:
“Child Centered Play Therapy (CCPT; Landreth, 1991; 2002; 2012) is a developmentally responsive, play-based mental health intervention for young children ages 3 to 10 who are experiencing social, emotional, behavioral and relational disorders. CCPT utilizes play, the natural language of children, and therapeutic relationship to provide a safe, consistent therapeutic environment in which a child can experience full acceptance, empathy, and understanding from the counselor and process inner experiences and feelings through play and symbols. In CCPT, a child’s experience within the counseling relationship is the factor that is most healing and meaningful in creating lasting, positive change. The goal of CCPT is to unleash the child’s potential to move toward integration and self-enhancing ways of being. Child outcomes following CCPT include decreased symptomatic behaviors and improvement in overall functioning.”
Perinatal Mental Health
I first became interested in Perinatal Mental Health while working in a residential substance use facility and running a trauma group for women in the program. I’ve since taken several trainings and continue to further my knowledge on this very important area of mental health. It is a highly nuanced experience, and I will often work in tandem with other providers to ensure wrap-around care for mothers and babies during this challenging time.
Official training through: Perinatal Support International, Summer 2020
(Pulled from Perinatal Support International)
https://www.postpartum.net/learn-more/
“Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders
Are you feeling sad or depressed? Do you feel more irritable or angry with those around you? Are you having difficulty bonding with your baby? Do you feel anxious or panicky? Are you having problems with eating or sleeping? Are you having upsetting thoughts that you can’t get out of your mind? Do you feel as if you are “out of control” or “going crazy”? Do you feel like you never should have become a parent? Are you worried that you might hurt your baby or yourself?
Any of these symptoms, and many more, could indicate that you have a form of perinatal mood or anxiety disorder, such as postpartum depression. While many parents experience some mild mood changes during or after the birth of a child, 15 to 20% of women experience more significant symptoms of depression or anxiety. Please know that with informed care you can prevent a worsening of these symptoms and can fully recover. There is no reason to continue to suffer.
Parents of every culture, age, income level and race can develop perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Symptoms can appear any time during pregnancy and the first 12 months after childbirth. There are effective and well-researched treatment options to help you recover. Although the term “postpartum depression” is most often used, there are actually several forms of illness that parents may experience.”