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In my practice I’m open about my recommended par

In my practice I’m open about my recommended parenting style. I advocate for an authoritative style that is knowledgeable of child development and utilizes co-regulation. This includes self-awareness, setting natural consequences, and creating firm + loving structure when children test for protection. Attachment research, neuroscience, and my (plus many respected others’) experience working with families supports these recommendations.

It’s relevant to be clear about my personal beliefs regarding every person being worthy of care no matter what. This includes children. Please don’t sacrifice a genuine relationship with your kids on the altar of being right. #mentalhealth #playtherapist #secureattachment #playtherapy #marriageandfamilytherapy #parenting #family

I don’t think that’s the reason!😄 #mentalhe

I don’t think that’s the reason!😄 #mentalhealth #socialanxiety #generalanxiety #anxiety #emotionalawareness #therapistsofinstagram #therapyhumor

Did you know that there’s a thing called couple

Did you know that there’s a thing called couple negative override? When we aren’t in a secure place and something triggers us at home, negative override whispers to us things like, “see, he would rather be gone,” or “wow, you deserve better she will never change.”

The antidote to negative override is to recall the truth. I remember how just yesterday my spouse made me a latte -unprompted- and was very supportive. This balances and soothes the contempt or criticism that can pop up fast. Now I’m in a better place to address what I’m hurt about in a way my partner can hear.

#mentalhealth #marriagecounseling #therapistsofinstagram
#marriageandfamilytherapy #couplescounseling #avoidantattachment

😃This is certainly not an exhaustive list and I

😃This is certainly not an exhaustive list and I’m sure other play therapists have excellent ideas that I haven’t thought of! Two others I’m very fond of are floor is lava rocks down the hallway or picking a silly way to walk down the hallway to our parent. Sometimes the beginner ways can work, sometimes not. Other play therapists: what ways do you say bye at the end of session? #playtherapy #playtherapist #gentleparenting #secureattachment #attachmentparenting #careerdevelopment

Getting creative is the easiest way to teach kids

Getting creative is the easiest way to teach kids things. They understand the lesson so much faster and remember it better! I can use this puppet ONE TIME and from then on we make jokes about how sassy or rude he/she can be! It’s also a safe jumping off point to discuss serious things without triggering a childs fight/flight. #mentalhealth #playtherapist #playtherapy #therapyhumor #therapymemes #therapytiktok #familytherapy #gentleparenting

The healthiest people I know live with what we cal

The healthiest people I know live with what we call a “coherent narrative. “ This means that we have processed our past. This means we are able to express our feelings and put them in specific moments in our factual history. Another skill I’ve worked on over the last year is labeling how my body responds to triggers in the moment, understanding why (history of this), and then regulating in real time. This is a lifelong process and skill that contributes to mental health! #mentalhealthawareness #therapistsofinstagram #trauma #healing #emotionalintelligence #therapymemes #traumarecovery #therapistproblems

This is why we cant have nice things!! 😄 #shari

This is why we cant have nice things!! 😄 #sharingiscaring #halloween #mentalhealth #therapymemes #therapyhumor #therapistsofinstagram #playtherapist #playtherapy

Distress tolerance is at an all time low on my way

Distress tolerance is at an all time low on my way home from work after a long day😄 Therapists are people too! #mentalhealth #therapymemes #licensedprofessionalcounselor #therapyhumor #therapistsofinstagram

I often work with adoptive and foster families. Fe

I often work with adoptive and foster families. Feedback older adoptees give is that they want their TRUE story including the pain, sadness, and loss to be included in the family’s story. A day that was potentially a dream come true for an adoptive parent could be the worst day of that child’s and their birth family’s lives. It is our responsibility as adults to honor their story and be brave enough to process it with them.
#mentalhealth ealth #therapymemes #familytherapy #playtherapy py #adoption #adoptivefamily #therapistsofinstagram

There are many reasons why the initial therapy pho

There are many reasons why the initial therapy phone consult is brief! One of the main ones is because it’s not appropriate to have a professional opinion on anyone’s life before they have signed the informed consent/policies. Another is that frankly I don’t know you at all and my advice could be horrible if I’m just winging it and don’t have the full picture yet. #mentalhealth #licensedprofessionalcounselor #professionaldevelopment #therapyhumor #therapymemes

All family systems strive to return to what they c

All family systems strive to return to what they consider normal or “homeostasis.“ This can be helpful (in times of crisis in returning to a routine) but it can also be harmful. If one or more family members are trying to change for the better, the family feels the discomfort of change. This person can become the Scapegoat in the family. Sometimes absolutely a person makes bad choices and this needs to be addressed an an individual. However, a lot of the time, the bad choices or what appears to be odd or bad behavior has more to do with what’s going on in the entire family than just one individual. Sometimes one person‘s actions or words are highlighting a problem that the family does not want to or isn’t ready to fix. #familytherapy #playtherapy #emotionalintelligence #therapist #boundaries #teenage #mentalhealth

You know what, let’s just hold off until next we

You know what, let’s just hold off until next week. #therapistsofinstagram #playtherapist #playtherapy #therapyhumor #familytherapy #therapymemes #boundaries #therapisthumor

Please be on time or a couple mins EARLY to get yo

Please be on time or a couple mins EARLY to get your kids folks! Sometimes I may clean this 3+ times a day. #playtherapist #playtherapy #therapistsofinstagram #therapyhumor

I’m passionate about this because I’ve seen ma

I’m passionate about this because I’ve seen many people get turned off to therapy due to this issue. I’ve seen children harmed by talk therapy and their refusing to participate in it deemed “disrespectful.”

As therapists, it is unethical to work with children if we do not have training and experience working with children. We also need a trusted RPT-S supervisor. For parents, please seek out and ensure you take your child to someone appropriate for kids. Many therapists SAY and advertise that they work with kids with no professional training or credential.

Kids are not mini adults. Kid sessions are not “easier sessions to break up my schedule.” See link in bio to find a Registered Play Therapist near you. #therapy #therapistsofinstagram #playtherapist #playtherapy #therapyhumor

Setting boundaries respectfully is difficult and r

Setting boundaries respectfully is difficult and requires specific skills! Even professionals dont always get it right. #therapy #emotionalintelligence #therapymemes #therapistsofinstagram #familytherapy #boundaries

#teentherapy #mentalhealth #therapistsofinstagram

#teentherapy #mentalhealth #therapistsofinstagram #therapymemes #funnytherapy #parenting

I have seen some real winner text threads over the

I have seen some real winner text threads over the years! #therapy #therapymemes #therapyhumor #mentalhealth

This is mostly a joke, because I do try to dress i

This is mostly a joke, because I do try to dress in a way that keeps the focus on my clients. Sometimes though, if you’re a regular, there’s no telling what I might have on including sweatpants! Not to mention the fact that cardigan season is almost upon us. 😄#therapist #playtherapist #therapisthumor #mentalhealthmatters

This interaction may be a play therapist’s first

This interaction may be a play therapist’s first experience with setting limits! #therapy #playtherapy #playtherapist #gentleparenting #therapisthumor

I’m struggling to think of another area where we

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