Throughout my more than 27 years of experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker working in schools and community mental health, I have always used traditional talk and play therapy in my practice with children and teens. Over the last few years, I felt that it wasn’t enough-that these children required more. They needed another way to process the intense feelings that their small bodies are experiencing on a deep level.
As I realized how much my own meditation and yoga practice had altered my own life, I knew that I could do this with my clients. So I began my journey to use mindfulness and yoga to help kids process difficult emotions. I’m grateful to have found a way to combine my clinical background, compassionate therapeutic abilities, and personal love of mindfulness and yoga to provide kids and teens with the skills they need to face life’s challenges and stay connected to you they are.
I keep things simple. I won’t give you a long-winded, overly technical explanation when I can tell you in simple terms. If we find a strategy that works, or you already have one that helps, I’m not going to mess with it. I believe that people are more likely to follow through with suggestions when they are easier to do.
I am a die-hard optimist. Not in the “everything will be great” way. But rather, I know that you can handle the work that needs to be done. I know that when we are finished, you’ll be able to handle whatever comes your way. I will always have faith in you and will make it clear that I believe in you.
I am focused. Sure, you might be able to distract me for a few minutes with talk a good movie or your family pet. However, it won’t last long, and I won’t let you avoid the hard stuff. I will keep us on track, so you can get what you need out of the process faster.
I will be direct. I have no problem calling you out when I see you avoiding or getting stuck in unhelpful patterns, but I will always be gentle and patient. I am skilled at balancing these complimentary sides of me and I have found it to be quite effective in helping teens move forward.
I provide a judgment-free zone. I understand that you likely already judge yourself harshly, and that you don’t need someone else doing it. So please, tell me your truth. Don’t tell me what you think I want to hear or what you think you “should” say.
Licensure and Education: I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker the state of Florida (#SW6744). I earned my Bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida and my Master’s Degree from Florida International University.
Training and Experience: After over 26 years in the field, I have a broad range of work experience in multiple settings with children and adolescents. I have worked with a variety of clients and difficulties. I prioritize my continuing education around strengthening my current skills, learning new evidence-based techniques. and adding new skills to my therapeutic toolbox. I am a Registered Play Therapist and Supervisor. I am certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) for children and teens; Certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy; and certified as Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional-Child & Adolescent. I am trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).
But that’s not all: I am a registered Yoga instructor and trained in Jon Kabat Zin’s Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). And because I love running, I became an RCAA Certified Running Coach. I’m also a children’s book author. I wrote Shantelle, You Smell, to help children deal with bullying and Retrain the Brain, a book to help children understand the impact of trauma and how to manage emotions.
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