CHILDREN
Services for Children
About My Work
I believe that all children have enormous potential, regardless of their circumstances. I work with a variety of concerns, including developmental delays and differences, struggles at school, anxiety, depression, behavioural concerns, difficulties with attention, grief and loss, trauma, sexual abuse, and adjustment to foster care and adoption.
Special Interests
Gender Identity:
I am passionate about working with 2SLGBTQIA+ children, particularly in the area of gender identity. I have significant experience affirmatively supporting gender-diverse children and their families. I am a member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and have completed WPATH GEI foundations training as well as advanced training in child and adolescent care, advanced mental health, identity evolution, and ethics. As a registered practitioner with Alberta Health, I am able to provide referrals to the medical system for gender-affirming care.
Neurodiversity:
I enjoy working with autistic and other neurodiverse children and have extensive experience with this population. My approach is developmental, relationship-focused, and strengths-based, guided by a neurodiversity-affirming perspective that values and respects each child’s authentic way of being.
Approaches
My approach to helping children is attachment- and relationship-oriented. I have training and experience in various types of play therapy, and I lean toward a non-directive approach, particularly the Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT) model.
I also provide integrative play-based therapy, drawing on a variety of other play therapy approaches as well as CBT, EMDR, DBT, mindfulness, narrative and expressive arts techniques. Each child's therapy is individualized - I meet children where they are at developmentally, and build on their interests, preferences and strengths. Caregivers are provided time for consultation and/or coaching to support the child’s progress and strengthen relationships outside of therapy.
Areas worked with include:
- ADHD
- Adoption
- Anxiety
- Attachment
- Autism / Asperger's
- Behavioral Concerns
- Depression
- Developmental Delays/Differences
- Foster Care
- Gender Identity & Expression
- Giftedness
- Grief
- Peer/Family Relationships
- School Issues
- Selective Mutism
- Self Esteem
- Sexual Abuse
- Sexuality
- Trauma and PTSD
