Child Issues

We absolutely love taking care of children & teens, and we have excellent outcomes. We are trained to bring therapy to the developmental level of your child, making it effective and resonant. We use Play Therapy, Art Therapy, Bibliotherapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT, & Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), to name few of the best treatments available for minors. We always include parents in the care, so you are always in the loop. Contact us today.

Kiddos and families can regain harmony in the household when big transitions make it difficult to see hope.

When working with kids, I create a safe and playful environment to build confidence and self-discovery. With younger children. I utilize play therapy as toys and symbols are the language they use to communicate. With teens, I focus more on their personal growth, meeting them where they are at, and collaborating on goals. With both kids and teens, I tend to use what the client is interested in to assist with therapy.

I have been working with children under that age of 10 using play therapy and art therapy. I truly enjoy working with this population and continue to attend continued education courses to gain more information and insight on how best to work with children and their changing needs.

We treat and evaluate a large range of child issues including developmental disorders (Autism Spectrum Disorder), anxiety, video game addictions, ADHD, anger management/emotional regulation, parenting strategies, and depression.

Whether your child/teen is experiencing anxiety, disruptive behaviors, difficulties in school, or another concern, or you would like some new positive parenting strategies, I am here to support your family's growth. When working with children, I collaborate closely with their parents and caregivers in order to practice new skills outside of therapy.

Parents often come to my practice wondering what they can do when their child is struggling in school or finding it hard to make friends. Children develop at very different rates and it isn’t always clear when getting in trouble is something to be concerned about or just kid stuff. I offer a comprehensive suite of services and will coordinate with teachers, related service providers, pediatricians, and, of course, parents to ensure that the work we do is generalizable and effective.

With children, I use non-directive play therapy to build self-esteem and confidence as children are provided space to process and integrate their experiences. Sessions are tailored to meet the needs of the child as well as the parents. I also work with parents to explore their experiences and to support them through the challenges they are facing. Parents can expect a nonjudgmental and supportive space where we explore their concerns and ways to help support the child in and out of sessions. I i

I work with young kids (infants, toddlers, preschoolers and kindergarterners) with behavioral and emotional difficulties.

When working with youth, I typically integrate Play Therapy, Strengths-Based, and Mindfulness techniques to establish a foundation for them to trust themselves and learn how to show themselves self-compassion. I love working with kiddos, preteens, and teens to help them through tough things in life and be more fully themselves.

Your child has been struggling yet you aren't quite sure why. You have tried everything. The teachers aren't helpful because they just say the same thing over and over. Friend's don't understand, their kids seem to be perfect angels. It feels like you have done something wrong but don't know how to fix it. You have heard play therapy can be helpful but not sure how to start. Just reach out today and a therapist can guide you through this process together.

In my work with children, I create a playful, engaging space where kids feel safe to express themselves. Using age-appropriate modalities like art and play therapy, we'll explore their inner world through creativity and imagination. My specialty is supporting kids managing big emotions or undergoing life changes. I partner with parents, providing psychoeducation and coaching around neurodiversity, social-emotional needs, and gentle parenting.

School transitions Social skills School Behavior Anxiety ADHD ASD

At Newport Academy, we believe that true transformation occurs as our teens learn to see themselves as beautiful, bright, and powerful people who can take control of their own lives. In order to help our patients achieve that goal, we maintain the highest possible standards for our services, and commission third-party evaluations of our programming. By consistently gathering and analyzing data related to our outcomes, we’re able to make more strategic and tailored decisions for our patients.

Children's play therapy is a natural, self-guided, self-healing process. Using sand tray, art, games and other tools to guide and facilitate healing, I create a safe space for them to explore all aspects of their inner world.

Children’s behaviors show us if their needs are met or unmet. It may be the need to be heard, to be seen, to be held more, or to be given more space to grow. Play, movement, art, and visualization can be very helpful for children. Samantha is very adept at creative interventions. She will also give your child, kid friendly mind-body-energy tools, that are supportive at various stages of development.

Children’s behaviors show us if their needs are met or unmet. It may be the need to be heard, to be seen, to be held more, or to be given more space to grow. Play, movement, art, and visualization can be very helpful for children. Samantha is very adept at creative interventions. She will also give your child, kid friendly mind-body-energy tools, that are supportive at various stages of development.

I work with parents of children who may have a learning, attention, or behavior disorder, struggle to complete classwork and homework, are fearful of certain situations, have sleep problems, have difficulty regulating emotions and self-control, experience separation anxiety at home and school, become easily frustrated or overwhelmed, or are stubborn and defiant with adults. I offer psychoeducational/psychological evaluations, child therapy, and parent support sessions.