Child Issues

Child/Play Therapy helps children to improve communication and interpersonal skills. It focuses on a child's interests and encourages interaction based on the child's favorite activities. Our professionals, collaborate to help children deal with emotional trauma, anxiety, grief, behavioral problems, neurological conditions and mental illness.

When working with youth, I typically integrate Play Therapy, Strengths-Based, and Mindfulness techniques to establish a foundation for them to trust themselves and learn how to show themselves self-compassion. I love working with kiddos, preteens, and teens to help them through tough things in life and be more fully themselves.

I have a play therapy certificate and help children, adolescents, and teenagers who are struggling with emotional regulation, school issues, social issues, family issues. I utilize cognitive behavioral and child-centered play therapy techniques in my approach to treatment.

I have been an Infant Mental Health Specialist for 15 years. IMH focuses on supporting children from birth to 5 yrs old related to mood, behavior and attachment concerns. I work with the parent and child together in session so the parent can build confidence in parenting skills and their relationship with their young child.

I utilize child centered play therapy strategies in working with children. Children experiencing anxiety, academic concerns, ADHD, or transitions can benefit from these strategies. Children process and express through play as well learn problem solving or self soothing strategies to symptoms they cannot verbally identify.

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

I utilize play therapy and sand tray therapy to create a comfortable and fun environment where children are able to express and explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences without facing the pressure of needing to understand or verbalize these things. With limited life experience and verbal repertoires, traditional talk therapy is difficult and frustrating for children.

I serve clients across the lifespan. However, I have significant experience working with minors ages 4 to 17 in private practice, community clinics, ADHD camps, and school settings. My approach is to "keep it real" with my tiny human clientele and integrate evidence-based interventions that fit THAT client with THEIR identities in their current life situation. I prioritize strength-based approaches and help reframe client behavior from "attention-seeking" to "connection-seeking."

I have been working with children under that age of 10 using play therapy and art therapy. I truly enjoy working with this population and continue to attend continued education courses to gain more information and insight on how best to work with children and their changing needs.

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.

We treat and evaluate a large range of child issues including developmental disorders (Autism Spectrum Disorder), anxiety, video game addictions, ADHD, anger management/emotional regulation, parenting strategies, and depression.

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.

Parents often come to my practice wondering what they can do when their child is struggling in school or finding it hard to make friends. Children develop at very different rates and it isn’t always clear when getting in trouble is something to be concerned about or just kid stuff. I offer a comprehensive suite of services and will coordinate with teachers, related service providers, pediatricians, and, of course, parents to ensure that the work we do is generalizable and effective.

Kiddos and families can regain harmony in the household when big transitions make it difficult to see hope.

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.

I work with childhood neurodivergence, anxiety, and depression using play, art, creative and activity-based therapies.