Play therapeutic techniques aren't typical play. The counselor assists children in addressing and resolving their own problems through play.
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allows children to tap into the natural way that they explore themselves, relationships with all the people in their lives and their unique world
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develops healthy communication with others, expresses their feelings in productive ways
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modifies difficult or big behaviors, learn problem-solving skills, and better ways to relate with others
Sand Tray Therapy: We utilize sand tray therapy to allow clients work through their issues in a non-directive way.
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unstructured, and allows clients to experience healing through the therapeutic process
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allows a client to construct their own microcosm using miniature toys and sand
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scenes created act as a reflection of their own life and allows them the opportunity to resolve conflicts, remove obstacles, and gain acceptance of themselves as well as to rewrite their story in a new way
Artistic expression in therapy: We use art in therapy in order to allow clients to express their pain, grief, life stressors.
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allows clients to utilize their creativity to explore self-expression and develop new ways to cope and gain personal insight
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use of drawing, painting, sculpting, collaging, singing, dancing and creative writing can help process issues in a creative way
Animal-assisted therapy is a therapeutic intervention that incorporates animals, such as horses, dogs, cats, pigs, and birds, into the treatment plan. It is used to enhance and complement the benefits of traditional therapy. Our animal that assists our therapy is a sweet pup named Tinkerbelle.
How It Works
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provides a sense of calm, comfort, or safety and divert attention away from a stressful situation
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provides pleasure
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helps people develop a better sense of self-worth and trust
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stabilizes their emotions, and improves their communication, self-regulation, and socialization skills
What to Look for in an Animal-Assisted Therapist
Animal-assisted therapy often serves in conjunction with traditional work done by a licensed psychotherapist, social worker, or other mental health–care provider. Be sure your therapist are also partner with an animal-therapy program, such as Pet Partners, to provide individuals or groups with trained therapy animals. Tinkerbelle is certified through Pet Partners!
You do not have to have Tinkerbelle with you during sessions. If you are allergic or have an aversion to dogs, she will not be in the room with you. In addition, sometimes she may need a break or not be feeling her best, and in that case, Nevitta will make the final determination on whether Tinkerbelle joins our sessions that day.
Some information from Psychology Today.
What is EMDR? Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a non-drug, non-hypnosis psychotherapy procedure. The therapist guides the client in concentrating on a troubling memory or emotion while moving the eyes rapidly back and forth (by following the therapist's fingers or a for a child a fun friendly object of their choosing). This rapid eye movement, which occurs naturally during REM sleep, seems to speed the client's movement through the healing process. For some clients, the eye movement technique doesn't work for them, so we will use another method to stimulate the brain bilaterally, buzzies, tapping, movement, etc.
What is it used for?
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to treat troubling symptoms such as anxiety, depression, body image issues, grief, guilt, anger, and post-traumatic reactions
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to enhance emotional resources such as confidence and self-esteem
Will the client be in control? The client is always in charge of whether to continue or stop. They can also decide how much to tell the therapist about the experience. The therapist serves as a guide to help clients stay on track and get the most out of the session, and may encourage clients to continue through difficult parts.
-Some of above information is from the Child Trauma Institute https://www.childtrauma.com/treatment/emdr