Family & Child Therapy Techniques
Dr. Cohen has specialized training in child clinical psychology and can diagnose and treat children as young as toddler-preschool years and work with family groups. She has expertise in treating childhood difficulties that range from mild adjustment issues all the way to complex mental illness, attachment relationship issues and trauma. She uses play therapy, sand tray work, art therapy, parent consultation, behavior management techniques, parent consultation, trauma therapies such as EMDR and Brainspotting, dream work, cognitive behavioral techniques, body-centered psychotherapy and relaxation techniques to work with her young clients. The work is fun and explorative for the child. Sessions are often shorter beginning at 45 minutes with an extra 10-15 minutes for parent consultation after the session to answer their questions and gain valuable information from the parent perspective.
Sand Tray
The use of the sand tray in child play therapy provides the child with a platform to express the rich and deep inner world of his/her psyche. Like Jungian dream work in adults, the sand tray provides the stage for metaphor, archetypal symbols and insight to unfold. As the child is using the tray and it’s objects on the accompanying shelves, the therapist is working with the child in his/her metaphor, interpreting their language and intervening where appropriate. The themes that are revealed naturally in the tray are the reflection of the child’s core internal emotional states and belief systems. My approach in sand tray work is often reflective, as well as problem focused. I will use intervening methods when appropriate or necessary.