My Therapy Methods
“Treatment has to include all people involved in the child’s life”
My Method
All parents insist their children are special, and they’re right, not just in the eyes of their family, but also in the careful eye of the treating professional. That is why it is essential to include the family when completing an assessment and treatment plan for a child. My method is to conceptualize each child and family that I meet from a cultural, neuro-developmental, family, and individual perspective. Then I devise an evidence-based treatment plan that involves the child, the family, and other support systems, such as school and others, when indicated.
What are the first steps?
The first steps include interviewing the parents, sending standardized questionnaires for both the parents and the teachers to complete, observing the child at school (whenever indicated), observing the child at home (in via Zoom or other media, or in person), observing the child with their parents in the office and finally interacting with the child in my office.
By using a multitude of methods across various situations, and with multiple informants, I am able to obtain a comprehensive picture of the child which allows for a higher level of precision when making a diagnosis as well as developing the best treatment plan for the child.
Sometimes, it is necessary to complete a full psychological evaluation in order to develop the best treatment plan for example, in the case of a child who is having academic difficulties, and who may have a learning disability.
Once the initial assessment is complete, and based on the results, I develop a culturally sensitive treatment plan in collaboration with the parents and with the child (when this is applicable) that is the most indicated based on empirical research, to treat the child and family. Treatment goals are reviewed on a regular basis and new goals are set accordingly.
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
PCIT is an evidence-based treatment that was developed in the 1970’s by Sheila Eyberg, Ph.D., ABPP, that focuses on behavioral parent training. PCIT was developed to treat disruptive behavior disorders, and this protocol has been adapted to treat anxiety, Selective Mutism, Autism Spectrum Disorders among others.
PCIT is unique because it works with parent and child together where parents are coached live by therapists (usually behind a one-way mirror or by Telehealth) while they interact with their child who is showing impairing symptoms of defiance, challenging behaviors, anxiety, or other symptoms. There are two stages of PCIT coaching: Child-Directed Interaction (CDI) (when parents learn to use play therapy skills to improve the relationship), and Parent-Directed interaction (PDI) when parents learn skill to decrease defiance and increase appropriate behaviors and compliance.
I am a Certified PCIT therapist, and I have been using this protocol for many years with young children and school age children. I have been using a one-way mirror when providing services in my office, while also providing Zoom meetings when I coach parents in their natural environment and in public.
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for Treatment of Selective Mutism (PCIT-SM)
PCIT-SM (derived from PCIT) developed by Dr Steven Kurtz, is a research-tested protocol that is used with children with Selective Mutism.
In this type of treatment parents and teachers are taught the skills to help the child with Selective Mutism feel more comfortable in expressing themselves at school (with teachers and peers) and in other places. This type of treatment has the goal of increasing social and verbal communication for children with SM. PCIT-SM may be conducted in the office, but it is most effective if it is delivered at school and in public places when parents and teachers are coached live to help them decrease parental accommodation of their children’s anxiety about speaking in certain places with some people.
I am a Certified PCIT-SM Therapist. I have been using PCIT-SM for many years with children with SM and other anxiety disorders. In addition, I provide seminars and training for teachers and parents on Selective Mutism, and the different steps to help children decrease anxiety. In addition, I have been providing Group Therapy sessions with emphasis on Exposure Exercises, such as visiting the Ice-Cream Store or Supermarket to practice “Brave Talking”.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
and Behavior Therapy (BT)
CBT is an empirically based therapy and the first choice of treatment for many disorders, such as anxiety, depression, specific fears, and obsessive-compulsive disorders.
It is a form of talk therapy designed to help people recognize and connect impairing thoughts and behaviors and learn how to challenge them. Children learn how their feelings, thoughts and behaviors are connected, and by working with these elements, they can challenge and improve their symptoms. Parental participation is essential for the success of therapy, especially for younger children. When the child is very young, behavior therapy is most effective, as toddlers are not mature enough to respond to CBT.
Additional Psychological Services
I provide individual therapy to adolescents who are experiencing anxiety, Selective Mutism, depression, social skills difficulties, and other issues that a teenager may experience. Therapy is provided with the Cognitive Behavior Therapy approach. Participation of the family is always present for better results.
I have been providing consultations to schools in three different continents over the last 35 years. I present educational seminars on many topics including Selective Mutism, neuro-developmental disorders, behavioral disorders, anxiety disorders, and also on a
collaborative model of communication and relationships between parents and teachers and
school staff.
Moving home can be stressful for any family; moving to a new country compounds that stress and can cause anxiety for children, who may be faced with learning a new language as well as acclimating to a new environment. I provide consultations to families who are planning to immigrate to the United States from other countries, such as Brazil, to help ease the transition and mitigate issues before they arise.
Before a family moves, and before they rent or purchase a home, it is recommended that they find out about the types of schools that their children will attend. Part of my consultation involves helping them make a decision of the specific location depending on many variables, such as academic standard and special needs of their children, parents’ jobs and lifestyle, and possible social support that the family may have.
I provide local and global consultation to parents, schools, and also therapists. I offer many modules of training in the area of Selective Mutism Parenting, and Early Childhood Behavioral Disorders.
For more information about scheduling and pricing, click here.