Child Psychologists and Child Therapists in Santa Cruz, CA.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Here at My True Temperament Christian Counseling, LLC, we help parents and children, 7-18 years of age, learn and understand the child's true temperament. True temperament means what are the inherent ways, ways specific to the child and not to his/her environment, in which the child prefers to interact with others. We measure the child's temperament in three ways. Inclusion/Social Orientation, Control/Power, and Affection/Emotions. The greatest benefit to both parents and child knowing the child's true temperament is the ability to work with the temperament of the child and not against it. For the convenience of the family, True Temperament Counseling is offered strictly online.