Therapy
My approach to therapy with children and adolescents with emotional or behavioral problems incorporates the principles of brief therapy. The focus of my therapy is on:

• solutions desired by the parents and the child instead of problems,
• capabilities rather than the shortcomings of all involved, and
• the future more than the past.

My strongly-held belief is that parents are the primary change agents in the lives of their children. Therefore, my therapy always involves the active participation of the parents. Therapy begins with a discussion of what brings the family to therapy as well as a clear sense of what each family member would like to accomplish. These goals, identified by the family, are worked toward until they are reached or changed.

I do therapy for the full range of personal adjustment issues that parents and their children may face. Included among these are:

• conduct problems
• academic achievement issues
• depression
• anxiety
• low motivation

Parent Coaching
Some problems of children and adolescents can be effectively addressed and solutions achieved without the child entering the therapy office. Parents are sometimes confused by the clutter of information that exists regarding child-rearing or simply uncertain about what course to take to help their children. In these cases, parents may benefit from coaching or consultation regarding their concerns about their children. This is an easy, non-threatening, blameless approach to seeking solutions to the sometimes vexing challenges that children can pose.

Trainings
Educational presentations are available for parents on a number of topics relating to children and child-rearing. These trainings include but are not limited to the following:

Get the Behavior You Want from Your Child
Motivating Your Teenager
How to Never Argue with Your Teenager Again
Ending the Homework Hassle
How to Help Your Anxious Child
Stopping Unwanted Behaviors
Preventing Depression in Children and Adolescents
Putting the Self Back in Self-Esteem

Trainings are tailored to meet the needs of the sponsoring group. They can be conducted on a one-time basis or arranged as a series. Trainings can be sponsored through PTA’s, schools, church organizations, or an interested group of parents can arrange a presentation.