Children & Adolescents
As a mom, I know how you feel.
There’s nothing more important to us as parents than our children, and we are fierce advocates for our children and rightfully so. I’m glad to be a part of your village for your children. It truly is an honor to see families transformed. Lasting change occurs when families are involved in therapy.
Sometimes, children or adolescents will ask for therapy. Still, I would say most of the time parents initiate services on their child’s behalf due to their behavior, emotional difficulties, and/or academic decline. There’s nothing that will keep you up at night as much as worries about your children, including their safety and well-being.
When we are in a difficult situation with our children’s well-being at stake, it can be hard to see our way out or know how to help. You are not alone. I can say the same things you say to your children, but they’ll hear it from me because I’m not their parent.
Also, I’ve been working with children and adolescents for a long time, and I know resources that can help with a wide range of situations. I would be honored to use my professional and parental knowledge to benefit you.
My approach uses proven techniques.
I’ve been providing therapy to children, adolescents, and their families for over 20 years. I really enjoy seeing the transformation that happens not only for the children and adolescents I work with, but also for their families. I enjoy finding products that help the children and adolescents that I work with.
One of these products is Hopscotch Play, a platform designed for children and adolescents that helps keep them engaged during sessions by offering therapeutic games, both online and in person. Learn more here: https://www.joinhopscotch.com/hopscotch-play. Another product I like to use is Cogmed, which is an evidence-based program for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors with ADHD and/or traumatic brain injury.
The research speaks for itself: https://www.cogmed.com/research. Basically, it consists of different brain exercises that help increase the use of executive functioning skills five days a week for five weeks. It’s an online platform that can be purchased, and as a Cogmed Provider, I can help walk you through the program each week. For more information on how it works, visit https://www.cogmed.com/training. A free demo is available at https://training.app.cogmed.com/demo.
I also like using Dialectical Behavior Therapy for skill-building, as it offers particular skills that can help almost anyone in almost any situation. It consists of four parts: Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotional Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness. Check out www.dialecticalbehaviortherapy.com to learn more.
The process I use occurs in three phases.
The initial phase consists of Rapport Building, Evaluation, Treatment Planning, and Setting goals, and will occur in the first two to three sessions. The child can decide to meet with the therapist alone or with their parents. The evaluations provided could result in referrals for neuropsychological testing, advocacy in school for a 504 plan or IEP, to participate in Cogmed, or a higher level of care, if applicable.
Skill building and a treatment plan review come next, which will involve the majority of sessions. During this time, I use Dialectical Behavior Therapy to teach age-appropriate, specific skills for mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. I encourage parents to communicate important updates before sessions, and the therapist will communicate with parents after sessions about any concerns, feedback, or recommendations.
The third and final phase involves Family Therapy & Treatment Plan Review. I will help your child or adolescent gain confidence in expressing themselves, ensuring they are ready for family therapy. Sometimes, I will recreate previous sessions and ask the child or adolescent questions in front of their parents, helping them communicate when it is difficult. We will also explore progress made and areas still needing improvement.
The entire process varies greatly depending on each individual’s needs, but on average, it can take 3-6 months. I have seen some clients for years, and others intermittently as needed, once stable.
Parenting is challenging.
The good news is that you don’t have to do this alone. It really does take a village to raise a child.
All you have to do is schedule an appointment, get your child or adolescent to the appointment, and I will do the rest.
Let me work my magic. Usually, children and adolescents enjoy seeing me, look forward to their appointments, and ask to see me.
Testimonial
“Nicole is awesome with my son. She takes the time to ask the right questions, has a vast amount of knowledge, and really listens to what we have to say. We adore her!”