Child Psychologists and Child Therapists in Atherton, CA.

As young children in their elementary school-age years develop, their verbal abilities to communicate thoughts, feelings, and other material specific to their internal experience, are skills and capacities that are still emerging, skills that they are still learning. The universal language of children is play. It is through play that we communicate with children to help them: 1) process challenging material, 2) challenge negative thinking, 3) develop and build internal strength-based narratives, 4) capitalize on play interests to boost confidence, and 5) promote adaptive behaviors and ways of relating. We offer support for children ages 5-17.

Many therapists share they use play therapy in their practice with children, but have not taken further training on its use in therapy. I am a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, which means I completed 3 years and 3000 additional hours of practice after licensure, clinical supervision, consistent continued education courses, and significant focus in at least two play therapy evidence based practices. I utilize Child Centered Play Therapy, Filial Therapy, Digital Play Therapy, and Prescriptive Play Therapy to address children's needs in addition to creative arts therapies (Drama Therapy, Art Therapy interventions).

In my practice I work with young children with a variety of difficulties from controlling their anxiety, anger and tantrums, to getting along better with friends and siblings and parents. I also help them with school difficulties that include failing grades, and behavior issues. I work with the child, parent and often the teacher to remember what Erikkson taught that "behind each behavior is a feeling". My goal is to help the child access their feelings, and in a safe place, explore their feelings and behavior while learning tools to help contol them so they can live happy and fulfilled lives.

I love working with children. In my practice I see pre-school, elementary, middle, and high-school age students with issues ranging from difficulties with peers, anxiety, trauma-related disturbances, ADHD, divorce related difficulties and many other concerns. In my work with children, I use techniques including play therapy, family systems and cognitive behavioral. In addition, I have extensive experience in art, dance, and drama therapy and individualize treatment so each child has fun while working through issues. In addition to my deep experience counseling children I am a former school teacher and a wife and mother.

Parenting can be a wonderful experience and at the same time a difficult and even a daunting one. If you are overwhelmed at times, suffer from pangs of anxiety or guilt around being a good enough parent or need someone to just talk to about the daily/ weekly ups and downs of being a parent then counseling with Dr. Ellie can be of great support. Aside from being a counselor, I am also a mother of two and have personal experience with being a parent. I know how difficult it can be, but I also know what a difference it can make when you have the right kind of support.

After 11 years of working with children, I find it more effective to work with you, the parent. This is not because you are responsible for the way your child is behaving or what your child is going through, but because you have the most positive power and influence in your child's life. If I can use what I know through education and experience to empower you the parent to connect to your child, it will be more impactful and long lasting than if I spend therapy sessions with them. Your child will also find healing through their relationship with you, increasing trust, and strengthening your relationship for the present and future. You will have your Parenting Power back, stronger than ever!

Children have not yet learned how to shield themselves from conflict, negativity, etc. Therefore, they are akin to "sponges," soaking up whatever they are exposed to. I provide children with a healthy, authentic space in which they can connect with their feelings through play and discussion. I also work with parents on styles of communication (those they might use with their children as well as their spouse/coparent) that may be inadvertently affecting children.

I provide therapy for young children. I have specialized in working with children for over 10 years. I work with those experiencing stress and anxiety, depression, problems with peer relationships, family conflict, anger management and coping skills. I work with parents to develop parenting skills, healthy discipline techniques and healing stress and conflict between parent and child.

Child and adolescent counseling can play a very important role in the life of a child who is dealing with one or more of the wide area of childhood challenges and traumas. Children can become the unintended victims of parents who had little training to become parents, had little time to be parents or experienced separation, abandonment, divorce , a change in parenting, step-parenting, foster parenting as well were challenged by dysfunctional homes with addictions, emotional disturbances and instabilities, extreme fighting, arguing, violence and abuse, frequent moving, and being passed from one divorced parent to another or from family member to family memeber. All these and many additional growing up challenges and traumas can be potent and disturbing...(view profile to read more)

Many times, child therapists overdo the family system in their quest to seek effective solutions for emotional, learning or behavioral concerns with young children. And many times doctors overpathologize issues that shouldn’t be medicated necessarily. This leaves parents wondering what is the best route for their child? Introducing brainwave optimization technology. A fast, effective, natural, and less expensive way to allow your child's brain to make the optimizing changes it desires to make---on its own! Without any external force, opinion, medication, diagnostic, etc. Contact kevin@kevinflemingphd.com or 877-606-6161.

Therapy with children must include verbal and nonverbal modes of therapy. We include modeling and teaching positive behaviors and self-talk, identifying core beliefs, play therapy, and sandplay. Sandtray therapy, more commonly called Sandplay therapy, is a form of therapy that provides a way to help children express the "inexpressible" Other ways for children to express include drawing a picture, using a crafts technique, or doing a collage. Art and play therapy techniques are used to supplement the therapy as talk therapy can be limiting for many children. We may also employ Somatic Experiencing methods to resolve trauma. Also, we often include the parents or caretakers in the therapy.

GRIT Kids exists to allow parents or caregivers to aid their children in the work of self-awareness—at every developmental stage— to better understand themselves and the world around them. Simple behavioral management fails to develop the internal locus of control that is necessary for developing character and self-discipline. Forming a self-identity and learning to live with purpose is a necessary life skill for children to learn in order to live into their fullest self. GRIT Kids Coaches are trained to help you do the work of raising your child with intention so you can see that little person grow into all they are capable of.

I work with young children by providing play therapy in a safe and calming environment. Children are not yet developmentally skilled at communicating their feelings and thoughts through words. I use my expertise in understanding each child through what they communicate through play. I implement well researched and effective treatment interventions, and involve parents throughout the treatment process.