Child Psychotherapists

Child clients communicate their inner lives through behavior, affect, and play. Psychodynamic theories help therapists make sense of children’s thoughts, feelings, and actions. Increasingly, psychotherapists are required to demonstrate their use of evidence-based practice with clients. Yet, even the American Psychological Association’s Presidential Task Force on Evidence-Based Practice stresses the centrality of the therapeutic relationship.

“My client wants to play, but her parents want me to address the presenting problem directly with her.”

“I trained as a cognitive-behavioral therapist, but am eager to expand my knowledge and learn how to use my subjective experience of the child to deepen the therapy.”

“My child client plays at putting me in jail and killing me. I don’t know how to respond, or even if I should let this continue.”

“I think my treatment would be more effective if I met more frequently with parents, but I’m not quite comfortable doing this.”

“I’m confident treating many children, but not children with special needs. How do I respond when the child’s cues are hard to understand?”

I can help with questions like these.

After learning about your experience, work setting, and clinical goals, I put together a consultation plan grounded in your concerns and objectives. As an experienced consultant to other psychotherapists, I’ll have your role and its demands in mind. The most meaningful learning happens when you share specific examples of your interactions with children and families.

I also offer D.I.R. / Floortime consultation to child psychotherapists working with children with neuro-devleopemental issues, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder.

I can help you understand how to use a child’s unique sensory-motor-regulatory profile as the foundation for treatment planning, and how to engage children who have difficulty engaging. I am a certified trainer of the Developmental, Individual-Difference, Relationship-Based (D.I.R.) model and its Floortime technique.

For more information about D.I.R. consultation or certification.

If you would like to learn more about my practice, I offer a free 30 minute consultation. I invite you to contact me online or call my office at +1 (415) 596-0293 to schedule a time for us to connect.