Specializations

CBT is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying negative thought patterns and positively restructuring them so that with practice, your mindset, behaviors and well-being will improve. CBT is used to treat depression and anxiety disorders. 

DBT is adaption of cognitive behavioral therapy that helps you take control of your thoughts, emotions and behaviors with others through learning skills such as mindfulness and distress tolerance skills to overcome life stressors. In therapy, the goals of DBT will be to emotional regulate, live in the moment, develop healthy coping strategies to deal with your emotions and stress, and improve your interpersonal skills and relationships. 

EMDR is a psychotherapeutic treatment designed to lessen the emotions associated with distressing traumatic memories through bilateral stimulation in the form of eye movements or tapping. The goal of EMDR is to diminish those challenging emotions surrounding a trauma. Studies have shown 84-90% of single event traumas PTSD symptoms have decreased while 77% of multiple event traumatic clients have shown a decrease in symptoms after six sessions. 

Filial therapy is a psychoeducational therapeutic form of play therapy designed to improve the parent-child relationship. It is an intervention that teaches parents/guardians, in a non-directive way, how to engage in a special playtime with their child. This form of therapy is beneficial in addressing concerns like anxiety and depression, single parenting, divorce, foster-care/kinship-care, child abuse and neglect, traumatic experiences and attachment concerns. Filial therapy is best suited for children ages 3-12 years old. 

Person-Centered Therapy is a form of talk therapy where you are the captain of the session, you are the expert in your life and the therapist is a support in you recognizing your full potential. This form of therapy is based upon Carl Rogers Humanistic approach where through unconditional positive regard, genuineness, and being non-judgment, a client can achieve the most positive therapeutic experience. In this approach, I will be your support as you navigate your life stressors and access your ability to identify solutions to the challenges at hand.  

Play is the natural language of children and the toys are their words. During play, children freely allow you into their world--their world filled with happiness and excitement but also with hurt, trauma and anger. To better understand this modality, think of this example that my mentor provided to me: A checker board. To adults, it is seen as a game to take pieces away from one another and make it to the other side to win. In contrast, to a child, it may be a game of war where mommy is one side and daddy is the other side and they are fighting, thus showing the divorce conflict within the family. This is a great example to illustrate how we may overlook the language children are using to communicate.

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At Unapologetically You, I conduct play therapy with children aged 4-12 years old. Through play therapy, I will support your child with learning to communicate their feelings, provide them with the tools to emotionally regulate and promote a sense of self. 

Psychodynamic Therapy focuses on unconscious emotional roots that have influenced present day challenges. This forms of therapy shifts from the perspective of "what is wrong with you" to "what happened to you." It explores past life events that have manifested into present-day circumstances. Psychodynamic Therapy is beneficial for those dealing with depression, anxiety and relationship challenges. In session, I will explore your childhood trauma's, emotions, desires and fears that may be negatively contributing to your mental health. 

Theraplay is a child and family intervention aimed to enhance the attachment, trust and joy between child and caregiver. Theraplay is used to address emotional and behavioral concerns such as shyness, fearfulness, communication challenges, social challenges, and opposition and defiant behaviors. In session, you will be guided through playful, fun, nurturing and developmental appropriate activities to strengthen the parent/child bond. Theraplay is best suited for children of all ages, and can be combined with other modalties. 

TF-CBT is a short term evidence based treatment for children and adolescents impacted by trauma that influenced symptoms of anxiety, depression and externalizing behavioral challenges.