My Approach to Helping
Working with people has always been my passion. My love for children, people, nature and the arts has formed me into the therapist I am today. I like to consider myself an extremely dedicated and present person, who truly enjoys working with all who come into her practice. It is my belief that each person is unique and special in their own way but somehow in their journey through life they may lose sight of that special something or never quite grasp what that might be. A large part of my work is helping people find that special something, or at least feel contentment with who they are and embrace that little spark of love for self. With children and teens I use many expressive modalities such as art and play therapy. This modality helps me to better understand and connect with my young clients, so to support their personal process towards a better understanding of what their work may be in managing their difficult thoughts, feelings or behavioral struggles. My work with children also involve parent(s), a caregiver or loved one. They are the home team support, aiding in their child reaching a level of success and contentment with their treatment process. When working with adults, it is a similar process but is done more through talk therapy, sympathizing, developing strategies together and offering consistent support. Our focus is largely on self-care and personal awareness so to manage the stressors of everyday life and learning their own path towards sense of self, emotional peace and contentment.
More Info About My Practice
My work experience with birth to 5 goes beyond 20 years. I completed a graduate level of study, prior my masters in Counseling Psychology and Expressive Art Therapy, in child development birth to three and Montessori education. During and after I worked as a Montessori teacher. Seven years beyond my teaching , I worked for Early Intervention as a Developmental Specialist and Psychologist helping infants, toddlers and families understand and manage various developmental areas of struggle, from speech delays, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, PDD and autism. I believe this knowledge and experience base brings a special uniqueness to my practice.
In addition to my strong hold on development, my experience and practice with the use of expressive art therapies extend from my clinical internships at The Walker Home and School and the Therapeutic Day School in Lexington, Massachusetts, to my later work at Safe Studio in Ipswich, MA. For over 10 years I continued to apply the expressive arts into my practice and embrace any creative approach towards healing. I am very excited to now be a part of an integrative group with Synergy Wellness that applies other holistic approaches to mental health care.
What I Love about Being a Psychotherapist
I love the reward of supporting people. Of being a good listener and truly caring about each of my clients's well being. I enjoy coming into my office and the time I have with each and every person who enters it. Altough issues can be tough and stressful, I enjoy helping to turn a sour and hard situation into something that is possible and doable, potentially fun but most importantly plant the seed for hope. I strongly believe we all have the capablity to embrace the awsome wonders of life, through consitent love, support and guidence. Knowing that all who leave my office is secure in knowing that they have someone on thier side who believes in them and won't give up on them, is truly a weight in gold.