Child Therapist

I provide psychotherapy for children including individuals with special needs (trauma, autism, PDD). Additionally I have a specialty working with children experiencing issues related to adoption, divorce and grief.

My unique approach utilizes both verbal and creative arts techniques. This combination is particularly effective with people struggling with anxiety, depression, self esteem, socialization, focus and concentration. For children who are autistic, have a form of ADHD or ID (Intellectual Disability) or are just too young to talk about their feelings my approach allows for emotional expression integrated with teaching the vocabulary of emotions and modeling appropriate social communication skills.

I have been practicing child therapy for over 40 years.

Psychotherapy and counseling usually rely on verbal expression (words) alone for emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual information. There are feelings and perceptions that exist in all people, that words cannot always adequately describe. In cases where a person may not be able to use words effectively, the challenge for expression becomes more significant. I provide the context for unlimited healing, growth and transformation for anyone, especially for those circumstances that seem overwhelming and unusually challenging.

Please view my policies and call for additional information or to make an appointment.

 

Does Your Child Have Adoption or Divorce Issues?

Adoption

Adopted children often experience some amount of trauma as a result of separation from their biological parents. The legacy of this trauma is an unconscious “imprint” upon their psyche which colors their learning and development. The child wants to understand what happened and often seeks to re-connect with their biological parents. This creates conflict which needs to be resolved so the individual can make peace within themselves.

Divorce

Children going through a divorce are similar in that they are grieving for a loss.  This creates enormous levels of stress because of:

• Competing allegiance to each parent

• Feelings like it’s their fault (guilt)
• Low self esteem
• Misplaced feelings of failure
• Anger

When this occurs, a child needs support to navigate the rough emotional waters that characterize adjustment to his or her new life situation.

Both of these issues can also lead to anxiety and depression.  Fortunately, both issues can be treated.

What I Can Do To Help

At Creative Sanctuary, I am a psychotherapist who has successfully treated children and adults for 40 years across a wide variety of clinical diagnoses including many with adoption and divorce issues.  My art therapy philosophy centers on the understanding that emotions, both conscious and unconscious, are often the drivers of all behaviors.  If you facilitate the correct expression of emotion, you can bring about balance, self regulation, and develop powerful insights that can change behavior.

Are you or your child having difficulty with daily living ?
Something is not right….you can feel it, but you don’t know what it is.

As an experienced psychotherapist in East Northport, my practice at Creative Sanctuary focuses on helping adults and children learn about, identify and gain control of their feelings and thoughts, reduce stress, learn how to cope and navigate difficult issues so they can live full and productive lives, without medication being the primary treatment.

Is work, school, homework or socializing a challenge? Are you feeling anxious or worried, and can’t seem to figure out what’s wrong on your own?

As a parent, are you struggling at work or in school with your colleagues or relationships? Is your child fighting with you all the time? Is parenting taking all the energy you have? Is just getting through the day overwhelming? The therapeutic skills I have acquired over my 40 years of work help adults and children suffering from anxiety, depression, Post-Traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention deficit disorder (ADD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and grief, adoption or divorce issues.