Inward, Upward, Forward
CHILD TRAUMA THERAPY
My practice is closed and I'm working full-time at Sunstone Therapies in Rockville, MD. Please fill out this form if you're interested in volunteering for psychedelic therapy clinical trials. Thanks!
Growing up can be awesome and hard.
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Being a parent can be rewarding and frustrating.
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Family life can be meaningful and complicated.
Supporting families in finding more joy, stability, and connection is what motivated me to become a therapist. Everyone has a part to play in healing. Everyone is growing and changing. Together, we can explore several treatment approaches to find the best ways to help you and your kids overcome both the unexpected and the inevitable challenges on the journey.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
(TF-CBT)
When scary, overwhelming, and upsetting situations occur, a child's sense of self, their behaviors, and their daily life are impacted. In an attempt to seek safety and predictability, some children develop ways of surviving and protecting themselves that can cause them harm or get them in trouble in certain situations. Fortunately, kids are naturally resilient. With support, they can adapt, cope, and heal.
I'm trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It's a gold-standard evidence-based practice for kids ages 3-21 and their caregivers who have been impacted by trauma. It's a 12-25 session model, but length of treatment can vary. For more information, check out the National Child Traumatic Stress Network's TF-CBT resources.
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Eye-Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
EMDR is another evidence-based practice that can support kids and teens who have experienced traumatic events or who are struggling with school or social anxiety, depression, self-esteem, anger, guilt, adjusting to life transitions, and more. EMDR may support a kid or teen in resolving memories of painful experiences that still impact the way they feel, think, and act. It can also help them build inner resources for self-soothing and self-regulation so they can feel calmer, safer, and happier. Length of treatment can vary.
I'm trained in EMDR Level 1 through The EMDR Institute. I infuse EMDR treatment with fun, play-centered, and movement-based interventions. More information can be found at EMDRIA's website and at lead trainer Ana Gomez's site about EMDR for kids.
AttachmenT-based therapy
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Feeling seen, heard, and understood helps everyone be their best self. Trusting that you can consistently count on the people closest to you makes it easier to be courageous in your own growth. Experiencing encouragement and affection from a loved one sparks self-compassion, even in the hardest and most hopeless moments.
Attachment-based therapy helps families understand each other's unique communication and connection needs through play, creative movement, conversation games, art therapy, and experiential activities. It also helps caregivers channel their unique gifts and learned life wisdom into cultivating emotionally safe and meaningful relationships in their family. Attachment-based therapy is a relational and heart-centered approach to managing challenging behaviors in kids and teens.
I'm trained in priCARE facilitation (Child-Adult Relationship Enhancement) and I completed an introductory Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT) course. I previously worked in, supervised, and managed a community-based attachment-oriented intensive family therapy treatment program that uses the IICAPS model (Intensive In-home Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Services). I have extensive experience working with children and teens who have experienced multiple psychiatric crises, hospitalizations, and other out-of-home placements.