Child Issues

Do you sometimes feel like you are walking on egg shells with your teenager, and are wondering what has happened to the child you once knew? You are not alone. Many parents feel like they are unable to control their children; and are experiencing extreme stress, shame, anger, and isolation. I can help your family reunite, strengthen bonds, and heal from the chaos you have been living through. I specialize in working with families and children who are suffering; and with children who continue to

Whether your child/teen is experiencing anxiety, disruptive behaviors, difficulties in school, or another concern, or you would like some new positive parenting strategies, I am here to support your family's growth. When working with children, I collaborate closely with their parents and caregivers in order to practice new skills outside of therapy.

At Newport Academy, we believe that true transformation occurs as our teens learn to see themselves as beautiful, bright, and powerful people who can take control of their own lives. In order to help our patients achieve that goal, we maintain the highest possible standards for our services, and commission third-party evaluations of our programming. By consistently gathering and analyzing data related to our outcomes, we’re able to make more strategic and tailored decisions for our patients.

I work with young kids (infants, toddlers, preschoolers and kindergarterners) with behavioral and emotional difficulties.

I work with children 0-5 years old using play based models. I work closely with the parent to help the understand age appropriate and developmental concerns. I help the parents with behavior modification and how to handle negative behaviors. I use different approaches that help your child respond better to you.

Children’s behaviors show us if their needs are met or unmet. It may be the need to be heard, to be seen, to be held more, or to be given more space to grow. Play, movement, art, and visualization can be very helpful for children. Samantha is very adept at creative interventions. She will also give your child, kid friendly mind-body-energy tools, that are supportive at various stages of development.

Do you feel like you are walking on egg shells with your teenager, or wonder what happened to the child you once knew? You're not alone. Many parents feel like they are unable to connect with their children and are experiencing extreme stress and shame, or even anger and isolation. I can help your family reunite, strengthen bonds, and heal. I specialize in working with families with children who are suffering or acting out in dangerous ways.

In therapy, children often communicate through play, a language I actively encourage and facilitate. Collaborating closely with caregivers, I guide therapeutic play sessions to bridge communication gaps and uncover underlying emotions or struggles. By nurturing this form of expression, we enhance connection, self-esteem, and emotional regulation. My attachment-based approach emphasizes the pivotal role of parents as experts and primary resources for their children.

I have helped countless children and their families overcome a wide range of issues. The family has to be a part of this process, as the hope is that therapy continues outside of sessions and into the homes and school.

Dr. Vivyan has experience in treating a wide variety of children's mental health issues, focusing on emotion regulation, behavioral problems, tantrums, and meltdowns. With a deep understanding of child development, she employs evidence-based techniques to help young clients express their emotions and manage challenging behaviors. Dr. Vivyan creates a nurturing environment, allowing children to feel safe while exploring their feelings. By collaborating with families, she helps kids to thrive.

We absolutely love taking care of children & teens, and we have excellent outcomes. We are trained to bring therapy to the developmental level of your child, making it effective and resonant. We use Play Therapy, Art Therapy, Bibliotherapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT, & Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), to name few of the best treatments available for minors. We always include parents in the care, so you are always in the loop. Contact us today.

With children, I use non-directive play therapy to build self-esteem and confidence as children are provided space to process and integrate their experiences. Sessions are tailored to meet the needs of the child as well as the parents. I also work with parents to explore their experiences and to support them through the challenges they are facing. Parents can expect a nonjudgmental and supportive space where we explore their concerns and ways to help support the child in and out of sessions. I i

27 years experience, working with children and adolescents, who experience, depression, anxiety, self harm, and suicidal ideation

Behavioral difficulties in childhood can look like Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD), school refusal, self-harming, and behavioral challenges related to Autism and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). I believe that all behavior is communication, and I will help you understand what these behaviors are trying to communicate to you.

With children, I use non-directive play therapy to build self-esteem and confidence as children are provided space to process and integrate their experiences. Sessions are tailored to meet the needs of the child as well as the parents. I also work with parents to explore their experiences and to support them through the challenges they are facing. Parents can expect a nonjudgmental and supportive space where we explore their concerns and ways to help support the child in and out of sessions. I i

In my practice, I take a comprehensive approach to addressing child and adolescent issues by integrating cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), behavioral techniques, and parent management training. With a focus on evidence-based practices, I collaborate closely with children and adolescents to identify and challenge negative thought patterns and behaviors contributing to their difficulties.

I am formally trained in child play therapy and work with children of all ages. Issues that I specialize in range from grief, school challenges, depression and anxiety. I use multiple modalities, including Adlerian play therapy, Gestalt play therapy, cognitive behavioral play therapy and psychodynamic play therapy. An important part of my role for a child is to advocate for them in their lives. I work closely with the parents and family to develop and achieve meaningful goals.

Children’s behaviors show us if their needs are met or unmet. It may be the need to be heard, to be seen, to be held more, or to be given more space to grow. Play, movement, art, and visualization can be very helpful for children. Samantha is very adept at creative interventions. She will also give your child, kid friendly mind-body-energy tools, that are supportive at various stages of development.