Teen Therapies
Typically Teens aged 16-19 do the best with my preferred method of Art Therapy, because it uses imagination without judgement. I also combine other modalities such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) or DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) into the art to help them feel comfortable. For example, we may start with a journal which the client decorates for a place to keep their writings. I then provide journaling prompts specific for the client based upon CBT or DBT. I ask that parents do not to read their teens writings so the teen will openly write what is on their mind. Allowing this open process helps clients learn to make decisions. Often by the time a teen has thought through several options, they are ready to make a good decision. This is when decision making skills are developed and it is a privilege help a client through the process.
I began
working with teen girls in 1992 for 4 years then through further
education gained my Masters Degree and worked another 4 years with
adolescent girls. I have continued to have 1/4 of my
practice devoted to treating adolescent girls. However, I do not work in the area
of Alcohol or Drugs, Legal Problems, or 3rd Party Investigations by
noncustodial parents or custody matters. The aforementioned are
specialty areas that I do not practice.