Services
EMDR
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Play Therapy
Substance Abuse
Play Therapy
Children's natural first language is play; they utilize play to communicate their feelings, to process through their experiences and to problem solve. Utilizing play therapy allows the child to connect and communicate on a level that works for them. Sessions can include sand play, art work, pretend play and creative expression. They can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 60 minutes depending on the client's treatment plan, goals and objectives. Additionally, parents or caregivers will be encouraged to be a part of the play therapy process; they will also be encouraged to take part in play sessions as needed. Part of play therapy will include teaching caregivers ways to utilize play to connect with their child, understand their child, validate their feelings and limit setting.
EMDR
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is an evidenced-based therapeutic intervention widely utilized with trauma survivors. This intervention utilizes rapid eye movements or bilateral stimulation to assist a client in pushing past disturbing experiences. Bilateral stimulation can include moving your eyes back and forth, tapping both hands or feet; or for younger children, playing the drums or playful sword fighting (with foam swords of course). This movement is combined with organizing negative and positive feelings/emotions/body sensations using free association. This intervention does not require a great deal of talking like most traditional "talk therapy" sessions.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is another evidenced-based psychotherapy intervention that is widely used by many therapists. This approach comes from a belief that perception influences thoughts, which influence emotions, thereby influencing our actions. This approach would be more "talk therapy" oriented; exploring core belief systems, schemas and automatic thoughts that one experiences. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has been known to be effective with many mental health illnesses, to include: depression, anxiety, trauma and many others.
Substance Abuse
Addiction recovery is not linear, and research shows the more perceived support a person has in recovery the longer they will stay in treatment and the greater chance they have for sustained recovery (we can be that support!). Offering other treatment resources (higher level of care when needed) family therapy, couples therapy, trauma informed approaches, and somatic experiences are all a part of the recovery journey. Katie operates from a systems approach when working with the Substance Abuse population. For most, substance use is used as a coping strategy to temporarily relieve other, deep rooted issues stemming from past negative experiences, unhealthy relationships, poor self worth, or early childhood abuse. We believe that, to achieve abstinence and overall wellness in life, treatment will engage more than just the person struggling in addiction, but other family members as well. We look at the individual, the family, the environment, and past experiences as part of the recovery process to not just support the addiction, but to support the person.