My work with children.

How we learn to “play” with other people has vast implications for our future success in the world, whether in business or with our spouses. We are social beings, and the genesis of many problems can be traced to how well we can get along with other people, whether our problem is withdrawal, excessive aggression, experiencing loss through death or divorce.  Recent research on the brain indicated that our experiences impact our brain chemistry, and there is a reciprocal relationship between how our brains function, our personalities, and our relationships to others.  I work closely with child psychiatrists to form appropriate conclusions in the treatment of your child.

Our ability to regulate our emotions, and impulses, to appropriately express anger, stand up for ourselves, establish functional boundaries with others…all are the goal, and aspiration of a productive human being.  These goals are expressed and learned in our early play with other children.

In the case of therapeutic play, or “play therapy”, I have gone through a decade of training and experience [most notably providing therapy in elementary schools to ED, or ‘emotionally disturbed’ children, and have received additional education in play therapy concepts and application] in order to provide my child patients with what they need to recover from their specific problems and restore them to their normal developmental trajectory.

Initially we will discuss your [the parent’s] concerns about your child, collect history of the problem, and together develop a treatment plan.  When I therapeutically play with your child, I am looking for specific expressions of your child’s conflict.  I will ‘join’ with your child and through interpretation in the play facilitate resolution.  You will be an active participant in this process, either through extra sessions with me, or joint sessions with your child.

Play therapy is a specialized field of study in psychotherapy.  I am confident I can provide good care for your youngster.  I look forward to working with you, and your child in order to build a more functional, and harmonious life.