Working with children and youth
Working with children
I work with children ages 4 and up who might be encountering an assortment of challenges, including:
- fear and anxiety
- grief
- attachment and connection
- questioning gender and identity
- self-esteem
- navigating change
- challenging life experiences
Utilizing play, various art modalities, and developmentally appropriate mindfulness practices, I start by establishing connection and feelings of safety. We then work towards cultivating emotional resilience, self-compassion, belonging, self-acceptance, and nervous system regulation.
With young children I welcome parents/caregivers to be present for the first few sessions as we build our relationship.
Working with teens
I work with adolescents around issues including:
- anxiety
- depression
- questioning gender
- questioning sexuality
- identity
- navigating change
- managing stress
- social challenges
- climate anxiety
- self-esteem
- fear around growing up
- challenging life experiences
Often my work with adolescents utilizes more talking as there is a lot at this age that teens are asked to grapple with. I start by establishing connection and safety, which with adolescents often means establishing their power in the session - that we will be led by what they feel is supportive. We then work towards cultivating self-understanding, self-compassion, self-acceptance and belonging, untangling all the ways they might have been made to feel inferior or not enough. Depending on the client I will bring various mindfulness, embodiment, and breathing exercises aimed at nervous system regulation and listening to their own inner wisdom. I always encourage the client to sense what is most supportive to them.
