Psychotherapy
CHILDREN’S PLAY THERAPY, TEEN, ADULT, & COUPLES
WE SPECIALIZE IN CHILDREN’S PLAY THERAPY, WITH 9 CLINICIANS SPECIFICALLY TRAINED TO WORK WITH CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS AGES 3-17.
Play therapy is an effective form of therapy for children and adolescents ages 2 and above. The conflicts and issues that brought the family to therapy are worked through within the playroom. It is utilized to help children express what is troubling them when they do not have the verbal language to express their thoughts and feelings (Gil, 1991). It is a relationship-based method of treatment where the child is able to grow and change for the better when in a safe and accepting environment. This type of therapy allows children to freely express themselves through toys, sand trays, and art. Toys are like the child's words and play is the child's language. It provides insight and resolution into inner conflicts, and helps the child better understand their world.
Research supports the effectiveness of play therapy with children experiencing a wide variety of social, emotional, behavioral, and learning problems, including: children whose problems are related to life stressors, such as divorce, death, relocation, hospitalization, chronic illness, assimilate stressful experiences, physical and sexual abuse, domestic violence, and natural disasters (Reddy, Files-Hall & Schaefer, 2005).
COMMON PLAY THERAPY GOALS:
Develop new and creative solutions to problems
Build self-efficacy and confidence regarding abilities.
Learn to experience and express emotions.
Increase self-responsibility at home and school.
Cultivate empathy and respect for thoughts and feelings of others.
Improve communication among parents, children, and peers.
Develop respect and acceptance of self and others.
COUPLES THERAPY
The purpose of couples therapy is to help clients process and work through relational issues with a third-party present. Couples therapy can also be used as a preventative tool to continue strengthening the relationship. Couples therapy helps couples decide what they want moving forward and provides different tools and resources to accomplish their goals. At Birch Therapy, the Gottman Method is primarily used during sessions. Trained in Gottman Method Couples Therapy I and II, Pamela Penrose is passionate about offering couples counseling, both virtually and in person, in our Wilmington and Raleigh locations.
Gottman Method
The Gottman Method has done over 40 years of relational research, which has led the focus of the Gottman Method to be on emotion, building skills for managing conflict, building skills for friendship, and creating shared meaning between couples. It also focuses on teaching couples how to spot the “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” or the four behavioral habits that can make or break a relationship if not addressed: criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling. You can learn more about the Gottman Method here.
BIRCH THERAPY PROVIDES INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS THAT ARE TYPICALLY 45-50 MINUTE, WEEKLY APPOINTMENTS. WE SPECIALIZE IN CHILD, TEEN, AND ADULT INDIVIDUAL THERAPY, WITH A FOCUS ON CHALLENGES SUCH AS:
Grief
Anxiety and OCD
Depression
Parenting/family systems conflicts
Coparenting strategies
ADHD and sensory difficulties
Autism Spectrum Disorder & Pathological Demand Avoidance
Executive functioning skills
Twice exceptional (2E) and neurodiverse challenges
Attachment
Inner critic/ Perfectionism
Social skills/ social anxiety
Trauma
Anger management
Academic difficulties
School Refusal
Adjustment due to temporary stressors
Communication within couples
Divorce
NEURODIVERGENT AFFIRMING THERAPY:
Neurodiversity describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one "right" way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits.
The word neurodiversity refers to the diversity of all people, but it is often used in the context of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as other neurological or developmental conditions such as ADHD or learning disabilities. The neurodiversity movement emerged during the 1990s, aiming to increase acceptance and inclusion of all people while embracing neurological differences (Harvard Medical School).
At Birch Therapy, our goal is to continue to offer an environment of inclusion and acceptance for all people.
EMDR
Navigating Teenhood: EMDR Therapy for Resilience and Well-Being
As therapists working with teens, we know how tough it can be to navigate the ups and downs of adolescence. That's why we're here to chat about something pretty cool called EMDR therapy and how it can make a big difference for the teens in your life.
So, what's EMDR all about? Well, it's a type of therapy that helps people deal with tough stuff they've been through, like bad memories or scary experiences. But here's the really neat part – instead of just talking about those memories, EMDR uses things like eye movements or tapping to help the brain process them in a new way.
More on EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a scientifically validated therapy that has shown remarkable effectiveness in treating various mental health issues, particularly trauma-related disorders. Grounded in extensive research and endorsed by organizations such as the American Psychological Association (APA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), EMDR involves a structured eight-phase protocol designed to facilitate the processing of traumatic memories and alleviate associated distress. Studies have demonstrated that EMDR can lead to significant reductions in symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other psychological difficulties among adolescents and adults alike. By engaging the brain's natural capacity for healing and adaptive processing, EMDR enables individuals to reprocess traumatic memories in a safe and controlled manner, resulting in lasting therapeutic benefits.
Now, you might be wondering, "How can this help my teen?" Great question! Let's break it down:
Dealing with Bad Memories: Teens can go through some pretty rough stuff, whether it's bullying, family problems, or even something really scary like an accident. EMDR therapy helps them work through those tough memories, so they don't feel as overwhelming or scary anymore.
Feeling Less Anxious or Sad: Lots of teens struggle with anxiety or feeling down sometimes, and that's totally okay. EMDR therapy can help them feel better by tackling the root of those feelings – whether it's a past trauma or just a bunch of worries piling up.
Doing Better in School: School can be a major stressor for teens, especially when they feel pressured to do well. EMDR therapy can help them deal with any past experiences that might be getting in the way of their confidence or focus, so they can tackle those exams with a clearer mind.
Boosting Self-Esteem: Let's face it, being a teenager can be tough on the ol' self-esteem. EMDR therapy helps teens work through negative thoughts about themselves, so they can start feeling more confident and comfortable in their own skin.
Nailing Those Social Skills: Making friends and dealing with drama can be hard, but EMDR therapy can give teens the tools they need to handle tricky social situations with confidence and grace.
Improving Family Relationships: Family stuff can be complicated, but EMDR therapy can help teens and their caregivers work through any conflicts or misunderstandings, so everyone can get along a little better.
So, if you're looking for ways to support the teens in your life, consider giving EMDR therapy a try. It's a safe, effective way to help them heal from past hurts and move forward with strength and resilience. And hey, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us. We're here to help guide you through the process and support you every step of the way!
TRAUMA WORK
WHAT IS TRAUMA?
A traumatic event is an extremely frightening, dangerous, or violent event that poses a threat to a child’s life or serious harm to their body. Witnessing an event that threatens the life or physical safety of a loved one can also be traumatic. While not all such events lead to lasting difficulties, children who have been exposed to a traumatic event may experience traumatic stress. Symptoms of traumatic stress in children may include changes to their emotional functioning such as intense and prolonged feelings of emotional distress, depression or anxiety, behavioral changes, difficulties with emotional regulation, loss of previously acquired skills or developmental regression, difficulty sleeping and nightmares, changes to appetite and increased reports of aches and pains. There are several highly effective, research supported treatment interventions for child traumatic stress.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
TF-CBT is an evidence-based treatment for children and adolescents impacted by trauma. This intervention utilizes a components-based treatment model that incorporates trauma-sensitive interventions with cognitive behavioral, family, and humanistic principles and techniques. A parent or caregiver is highly involved in the treatment intervention. TF-CBT is appropriate for children and adolescents aged 3-21 years old. Completion of this treatment model is based on mastery, but typically takes 4 to 6 months of weekly therapy.
Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)
CPP is an intervention for children aged 0-6 who have experienced at least one traumatic event and/or are experiencing mental health, attachment, and/or behavior problems, including posttraumatic stress disorder. The primary goal of CPP is to strengthen the parent-child relationship which leads to improvement in the child’s emotional and behavioral functioning. Treatment begins with an extended assessment phase (mostly with the parent or caregiver) and then involves conjoint, play based sessions with the child, caregiver, and therapist. Completion of CPP is based on mastery and improved functioning, but typically takes 8-12 months of weekly therapy.
Source: National Child Traumatic Stress Network, www.nctsn.org.
Frequently asked questions about Psychotherapy
FAQs
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Our clinicians use many modalities in therapy to best support the individual and family system for the most effective and supportive treatment.
Collaborative care is important, and we regularly work with primary care providers and school teachers to provide comprehensive treatment.
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We believe that quite often, one can get stuck in a life developmental stage and have difficulty coping with the current strategies. Our job is to walk alongside in hopes of offering support, a few more coping strategies, and a safe place to not be ok.
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Sessions typically last 45-50 minutes and held weekly. According to research, it takes approximately 20 regularly scheduled sessions to resolve the problems referred for treatment (Carmichael, 2006).
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Please complete the form or schedule a 15 consultation with our intake coordinator. While we often have a waitlist, our hope is to get you scheduled with one of our skilled clinicians as quickly as possible.