Children

Social anxiety is on the rise, and the modern technologies of today keep us even more separated and disconnected than ever. Does your child fear social situations? Does your child have intense self-consciousness or fear of embarrassment that keeps them from participating in daily activities? Does your child go to great lengths to avoid social interactions, such as school, play dates and parties? I am able to work with you and your child to create a plan that creates an increase in self-consciousness and boosts self-esteem through individual and group sessions to ease anxiety symptoms.

The Autism Spectrum Disorders or ASD are known as disorders characterized by significant deficits in the ability to understand people, interpret events, communicate, and interact with others. These disorders are described as occurring on a spectrum because of the wide variability of impacts they may have on everyday functioning. The scope, variety and severity of symptoms differ in each individual, but in general, ASD is characterized by:

• Difficulty with communication
• Impairment of social skills and understanding of how to engage and interact with others
• Unusual behaviors and interests (such as attachments to unusual objects or speaking in cartoon or movie scripts)
  With a unique treatment plan catered to your child’s needs, we will work to make strides in improving your child’s symptoms. A stringent parenting plan and techniques such as play therapy can help children on the autism spectrum to communicate more openly and effectively, resulting in better social interactions.

There are many behavior concerns with children diagnosed with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Some of these behaviors include: constant moving, fidgeting, failure to listen, trouble playing quietly, talking excessively and interrupting, becoming easily distracted, inability to focus, difficulty finishing tasks, impulsivity, and consistently losing possessions. My goal is to help you and your child to understand the disorder, so that together we can determine the best comprehensive plan for treating its symptoms.

All children are oppositional from time to time (especially when they are tired, hungry or upset). However, Oppositional Defiant Disorder presents an ongoing pattern of uncooperative, defiant, and aggressive behavior toward others that interferes with their day-to-day functioning. Some of these symptoms can include: frequent temper tantrums, excessive arguing, questioning rules, active defiance, refusal to comply to rules, deliberate attempts to annoy and upset others, blaming others for their mistakes and misbehavior, frequent anger and resentment, a spiteful attitude, and revenge seeking. I will teach you the strategies which will allow you to cope and rectify this behavior, so that both you and your child can lead happy, healthy lives.

The effects of bullying on a child’s self-esteem can be devastating long after the bullying stops. Some of the effects of bullying are loss of confidence, self-criticism, rejection, bed-wetting, and isolation. It has become all the more clear how deep the emotional and psychological scars that result from bullying can be. In a supportive and safe environment, your child can properly process the feelings of anger, shame, and isolation that often accompany those who are victims of bullying, and ultimately overcome the victimization by learning how to cope with the situation.

Children express their grief in a variety of ways. Some may be sad and verbalize the loss similar to adults, while others may show their sadness only sometimes and for shorter periods of time. Some may show discomfort (such as stomachaches or headaches), and some may express anxiety or distress about challenges. A child’s grief may seem to come and go, which is perfectly normal. Your child may re-experience the intensity of the loss as they grow up, more often during certain milestones in life. For this reason, grief counseling is key for healing. Your child and I will work to pinpoint the feelings which cause the distress he’s facing, and learn the proper skills to overcome them.

Being a boy or a girl, for most children is something that feels very natural. When children are able to express themselves, they will declare themselves to be a boy or a girl. This is their “gender identity”. Most children’s gender identity aligns with their biological sex. However, for some children, the match between biological sex and gender identity is not so clear. All children need the opportunity to explore the different gender roles and different styles of play. Children and teens typically express their gender identity in the following ways: clothing or hairstyle; preferred name or nickname; social behavior that reflects varying degrees of aggression, dominance, dependency, and gentleness; manner and style of behavior; and physical gestures or other nonverbal actions identified as masculine and feminine and social relationships. It is important to note that while your child’s gender-specific behavior may seem to be influenced by the identification with the males and females in their lives, their gender identity cannot be changed. I will work with child, parents and family through any concerns, doubts, fears, and questions you may have. In a safe environment, your child will feel more comfortable addressing these questions and the stereotypes faced by society.

When families “blend” to create stepfamilies, things rarely progress smoothly. Changes to the family structure require adjustment time for everyone involved, and some children may resist them. By working together and creating a solid foundation, I can support you in functioning like the family that you always dreamed of.