What To Expect
Carrie strives to create an individualized experience for each client while staying true to core theoretical approaches and foundational beliefs.
In the space where hope meets courage, healing begins.
Guiding Beliefs
Carrie approaches situations from the perspective that all behavior makes sense. A central focus of her work is becoming curious about what lies beneath a client's behavioral responses. She recognizes humans are biologically wired for connection and believes a critical component of healing is a client's experience of connection, felt safety, and validation not only within the therapy space but outside of the therapy space as well. Carrie draws on research from various leaders in the field of interpersonal neurobiology to guide her work with clients.
Play Therapy
Carrie has specialized training, grounded in various theoretical models, in applying the therapeutic powers of play. In play therapy, the toys become the words and play becomes the language a child uses to communicate (Landreth, 2002).
Trained play therapists understand how to use these moments of play to support emotional healing and growth. Through a trusting relationship and developmentally appropriate activities, play therapy helps children express themselves, work through challenges, and build important skills for their overall well-being. A common misconception is play therapy exists solely for young clients. While certain theoretical models are geared toward younger clients, Carrie has received specific training to incorporate playful expression elements into her work with clients of all ages.
Partnered Approach
Carrie believes clients are connected to the systems around them, especially their families, and views caregivers as essential partners in the therapeutic process. She values caregivers as an expert when it comes to their child and understands the impact of a caregiver's own nervous system as it relates to co-regulation and felt safety. Therapy is most impactful when it includes open communication and collaboration with important caregivers in a child’s life. For this reason, it is Carrie's goal to work alongside caregivers, incorporating caregiver insight and observation and providing support and guidance, which Carrie believes are necessary elements in strengthening therapeutic outcomes.
