Offering Family Play Therapy in Livermore, CA
,Family play therapists use play therapy, sand tray, games, expressive arts, etc., to help parents and children increase insight, learn to connect in new ways, and grow past their difficulties to establish healthier patterns of relating.
I am a licensed counselor in California and North Carolina. I am also Registered Play Therapist. In addition to being a licensed counselor, I have extensive training in family therapy through my doctoral program in counselor education and supervision. Additionally, I completed the post-graduate training program at Southeast Institute for Group and Family Therapy where I later worked as a therapist, Vice President, and co-director.
Currently, I work with families in my office in Livermore California.
Play in Family Therapy
Children are meant to be seen and heard–in families and in therapy. Sometimes, they don’t have the words to express what they are thinking and feeling. To ensure they are included in family therapy, I incorporate play therapy into family therapy sessions. That might include art, drawing, acting, sculpting, puppets, sand tray, and more. Learn more about play therapy here.
Family Therapy and Emotional Wellness
I specialize in emotional wellness and regulation for the entire family. Life challenges us to adapt and change in ways for which we are unprepared. Tuning in to emotions helps us discover who we truly are and is a necessary component to living an authentic meaningful life and for creating warm, nurturing homes.
Family therapy can help you replace destructive patterns with nurturing ones. If you think your family would benefit, call and schedule an appointment today.
I work with families to help them break the patterns that keep them stuck in power conflicts, negative cycles, anger, and pain.
Two myths that hold families back from experiencing joy:
The first is that there is an ideal “happy” family life that is constant. In this imagined family, there is no conflict and everyone is always happy. The truth is that we won’t always feel happy and connected with one another, but we can gain the skills we need to offer helpful support and structure. This way, we can be available for supporting children through their development and growth.
The second is that parents grow children, and we if we could just parent perfectly enough then our children will reflect that. In reality, parents and children grow one another. And the ideas of perfection are not the measuring stick.
Parents grow and change to meet emerging developmental needs and challenges. As children experience their parent’s support, they grow through the difficulties and negative feelings they will inevitably experience.
As parents delight in their emerging children, they let go of the fantasies of who they thought their children would be and replace those with an appreciation for who their children really are.
I offer an integrative and creative approach to help you address:
Anxiety
Relationship Issues
Grief & loss
Trauma
Divorce
Work-Life Balance
Depression
Career Changes
Lack of Clarity
Obsessive Thinking
Anger
Crisis of Meaning
