Services
Play Therapy
Definition of Play Therapy by the Association for Play Therapy (APT)
Play Therapy is defined by APT as “the systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained Play Therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and
development.”
Play Therapy should only be provided by graduate-level mental health professionals who have met the required education, clinical licensure, and additional specialized training and supervision specific to Play Therapy.
Play Therapy isn’t Just Play
Play Therapy is not the same as regular, everyday play. While spontaneous play is a natural and essential part of the developmental process, Play Therapy is a systematic and therapeutic approach. Play Therapists have earned a graduate mental health degree and are licensed mental health professionals with extensive training, supervision, and education in Play Therapy. Play Therapy incorporates a growing number of evidence-based practices and techniques (SAMHSA, 2014), and should only be utilized by specially trained mental health professionals.
Visit www.a4pt.org for more information.
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a highly researched therapy that only clinicians with specialized training can provide. EMDR is delivered in a structured manner where focus is put on a specific trauma memory (otherwise known as a target) while bilateral stimulation is occurring at the same time. Bilateral stimulation was originally delivered most commonly in the form of rapid eye movements, but as research has progressed, we know now that bilateral stimulation can be delivered in a variety of ways, including tapping, buzzers, auditory tones, light bars and more.
EMDR was originally used to treat PTSD in war veterans and since its inception in the 1980’s, has expanded to be much more accessible and an effective modality for reprocessing all different types of traumas.
Clients of all ages can benefit from EMDR. EMDR has been used to treat a variety of challenges that clients face, including, but not limited to:
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Depression and bipolar disorder
- Eating disorders
- Dissociative disorders
- Sexual assault
- Grief and loss
- PTSD or other trauma-related symptoms
- Sleep disturbance
- And much more!
The EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) has a wealth of helpful information about EMDR: https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/
Additional modalities that I utilize included but are not limited to: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma- Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Sand Tray Play Therapy.
By Appointment Only
