Working with Kids

Ages 3-7ish

Typical Challenges:

  • Tantrums and meltdowns

  • Dawdling - a.k.a. taking forever to do things

  • Not listening or not following the rules

  • Defiance or opposition - a.k.a. talking back or doing opposite of what you want

  • Verbal or physical aggression - a.k.a. getting into arguments or fights

  • Destructive or careless - a.k.a. breaking everything they get their hands on

  • Attention seeking

  • Difficulty paying attention or easily distracted

  • Nightmares

  • Afraid of new places or people

How I Can Help:

Young children that have experienced trauma often show what is happening on the inside through their behaviors on the outside. One of the most important things I do is help you to truly see and understand your child because having a consistent and predictable relationship with you, will help them to feel safe and secure following a traumatic event.

I will work with you and your child to decrease all of that stuff above, while increasing all of the stuff that you actually want to see, such as - doing things in a timely manner, listening to you, following your rules, using nice words and gentle hands, being able to entertain themselves, and staying focused!

This is done through the evidenced based approach of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), along with my added flair of fun!

If your child is still struggling emotionally after PCIT, I will integrate trauma reprocessing via Eye-Movement Desensitization Therapy (EMDR). Think of PCIT as the foundational treatment needed for EMDR to be successful!

What You Can Expect:

PCIT is 2-phase approach that first focuses on building foundational relationship skills that will allow for behavior management skills to develop in the second part of therapy.

Be prepared to get involved and have fun! When working with young children, I find it is best for the parent to be included and participating in each session. During the session, I will ask you to play with your child while I provide direct, real-time coaching to help you learn the skills mentioned above.

Many parents get a little nervous when they think about me watching them play with their kid because they don’t want to make mistakes or have their child become disruptive in the session. No worries! This is where the magic happens! Mistakes mean we are learning something during the session and I look forward to being able to support you in real-time when your child acts up. In fact, after therapy is over, parents often tell me that the best part of the therapy experience was getting support through one of their child’s tantrums!

What Your Child Can Expect:

Lots of FUN! I will let them know they are in therapy, what that means, and why they are there - but after that they will probably forget they are in therapy (or they will start telling everyone how much they love therapy). As we transition to behavior management skills, I will model these with a stuffed animal friend, which eases your child into recognizing the pros/cons of engaging in the behaviors you want to see and those you don’t want to see. Kids usually encourage my stuffed animal friend to listen and follow rules, which will have all of us laughing and having fun!

Are you ready to play?

Book a free 20-min consultation!