Throughout my career it has been a privilege to work with children and their families and to be a part of their journey towards healing. I am never ceased to be amazed at the capacity for children and families to grow and change in the face of overwhelming obstacles and adversity. In order to best assist families therapeutically I believe it imperative to meet families where they are at, to genuinely listen to the unique wants and needs being expressed and to operate from a place of integrity, transparency, genuineness, grace and a bit of humor. Because families are diverse and complex I also consider it imperative to be culturally sensitive and aware. Also of vital importance is assisting families in identifying and obtaining resources within the community that will provide additional support and services.
My professional life has allowed me opportunities to work as a Child and Family Therapist in a variety of settings including residential care and in-home therapy, but the predominance of my work has been in outpatient settings at agencies with a focus on trauma, young children and their families. In addition to working with children with trauma backgrounds I have worked with children struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief and loss, divorce, school bullying and bi-polar disorder. In addition to working as a Child and Family Therapist I worked for a period as an Extended Forensic Evaluator when abuse was suspected at an Advocacy Center.
When working with families I use a family systems and family life cycle model as I believe together they offer the best theoretical approach of including diverse ideas of family and the impact of the family’s community on its overall functioning. I also like to use filial therapy in sessions with children and their families.
The importance of a child’s play in the therapeutic process cannot be underestimated and is central to a child working toward self-awareness, self-regulation, esteem building, independence and ultimately healing. Child Centered Play Therapy or CCPT is the theoretical model I use most frequently when working in individual sessions with children. I also like to use more directed play therapy approaches when indicated and in group therapy sessions.
I earned my Masters of Social Work degree in 1997 from Washburn University in Topeka, KS and in 1999 I obtained my clinical license to practice social work. I have practiced in Kansas, Missouri and now in Colorado. I will be working towards my certification as a registered play therapist and would also like to explore EMDR with children.