CHILDHOOD COUNSELING:  Kids are people with their own ideas and personalities.  It is important to remember that communication with children is not the same as it is with adults.  There are a variety of counseling techniques to use with children but it is important to start therapy with a child by understanding his/her vantage point to life experiences.  Having fun and being affirmed in an exercise/task/game about life and a child’s choices can cultivate this process.

As report continues to build or as the child becomes more comfortable, he/she will begin to relate to more issue oriented questions and how they feel about them.  This is play therapy.  Examples of my use of play therapy can be simple role playing, games from a child’s home (board games, clay, school projects), musical instruments, poetry, or flying a real airplane (soaringyouth.org).  I also have extensive experience with working with our schools and doing groups in them.

                                       ISSUES: (Ages 5 up) 

* Depression/anxiety.

* Conduct issues and school performance issues (social/academic).

* Emotionally or physically violent towards others.

* Destroys property, lies, steals, and shoplifts.

* Attention/hyperactive (I do not do medication).

* Oppositional/argumentative.

* Bullied.