Therapy for Children and Parents

Every family is different, and we shape our approach to the unique needs of the family. Many children (and parents) need help developing greater tolerance for frustration, transitions, and stress, and this is where we begin. Usually, our sessions are active and playful. When we work with children, we also work with parents.

Parenting support

Sometimes what a family needs the most is for parents to get support, strengthen their skills, and build their own capacity for self-regulation. Most often, we use a combination of parents’ sessions and child-parent dyad sessions. Several members of our team are trained and experienced in child-parent modalities.

SMART (Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Treatment)

SMART is an approach that incorporates psychotherapy, somatic awareness, sensory integration, play, attachment, and family therapy. It was developed by a team of child psychotherapists and pediatric occupational therapists. In our office, we have a SMART corner lined with mats and big pillows, where we can engage in play activity that helps children develop more regulation. This creates room for the child to have better relationships and improved self-esteem. To learn more, click here.

Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy

Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) is a therapeutic approach developed by psychologist Dan Hughes that is particularly well suited to families in which a child suffered attachment loss—whether through foster care or adoption or because they were unable to bond with their parent for other reasons. DDP’s foundational elements are playfulness, acceptance, curiosity, and empathy. To learn more, click here.

Safe and Sound Protocol

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, is an evidence-based therapeutic program that involves listening to music that has been filtered for certain frequencies. It is designed to foster greater ease in perceiving safety. In children or adults who get anxious easily or are chronically scanning for danger, SSP can help cultivate greater capacity for orienting to safety and feeling regulated. To learn more, click here.

Theraplay

Theraplay, founded in 1975, is an approach designed to build better relationships between children and parents by strengthening healthy attachment. It develops four basic components of parenting: nurture, structure, engagement, and challenge. Theraplay sessions are fun and playful, and focus on the parent-child connection. Theraplay can be especially helpful for families with children that experienced early attachment rupture due to adoption or separation between parent and child because of illness, hospitalization, addiction, divorce, or for other reasons. To learn more, click here.