Welcome! To our series of blog posts in which I, Yvette E. McDonald, LCSW-QS have the pleasure of interviewing one of our therapist here at Traveling Light Counseling. In our series of couch interviews the therapist will be offering us a glimpse into their speciality by answering questions about topics relevant to their field and imparting a few tips, ideas, and suggestions on ways to travel lighter.
As a disclaimer these interviews are by no means a substitution for therapy and if in need of more specialized, personalized and/or intense help please find a therapist that would best fit your situation.
Here with me today is Jaimie Conway, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who works with children of all ages, that present or struggle with ASD, Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) and other mental and behavioral issues such as ADHD, ODD, depression and anxiety. Her style involves teaching you how to look at a situation or behavior and apply a variety of different skills to decrease sadness or nervousness and handle things/situations/people with confidence. She provides her services through various channels including individual and group counseling. She utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy as well as client centered to allow more than “a quick fix” but a long lasting change that allows clients to accomplish their goals on their own time.
So, today's interview revolves around how Jaimie shows up with children, teens and parents:
Question: What is something that makes you a good children's counselor?
Answer:
My passion to help them feel heard, understood and letting them know they are not alone. I have found that there are a lot of children that feel like their parents don’t take them seriously or listen to them in a positive way. So, I love being that person that children, teens and college students can turn to in order to talk things through, gain perspective and find someone to confide in. I find children/teens and college students can absorb a lot of positive skills during these key development times, that they can apply into their adulthood to make the transition times less troublesome.
Question: What play therapy techniques do you use, as I've been to a counselor that just plays games with my child and I'm not interested in that.
Answer:
I utilize play therapy as a way to allow children to open up more and engage in their feeling and emotions. I use “emotion UNO or bingo” to allow children to have a fun way to describe their emotions. I use the “emotion highway” as a way for children to explain what they are feeling at a specific time and how to respond during those times where they are feeling sad, mad, upset, or angry. I utilize games to take the pressure off of children because client centered and “talk therapy” is not always “fun” for a child.
Question: How involved will parents be in their child's treatment and how will you keep them up-to-date on progress?
Answer:
I like to let my parents know what basic interventions were used after each session. Depending on the day, I will give them homework and let the parents know how to apply them at home and record their progress in between sessions.
Question: What if my child is reluctant to start therapy how would you bond with my child?
Answer:
I take the time to build rapport and meet children where their comfort level is. I get to know the child regarding what they like and what they do not like and use the things that they do like to make therapy more fun and productive.
What a great interview with Jaimie. I appreciate her taking the time and both explaining her style and passion in addition to answering my question's today, in order that parents can get a small sample of who she is and how she shows up with children/teens and young adults. Helping children find and use their voice is an element of what she does with children and an important one at that. Children are experiencing more difficulty with navigating the twists and turns of life and putting words to their world and emotions. They in turn act out in ways that confuse and frustrate parents. Helping children/teens make sense of their world and the emotions they are experiencing along with expressing themselves in healthy ways is one of the things that drives Jaimie in her work with children, teens and college students.
If you feel like Jaimie will be a good travel companion for your child's journey. She offers a low cost 30-minute consultation. During this time she will talk with you about your current stressors, you will get any important questions answered, get a better idea of who she is and how she can help your child, teen or college student.
So, what are you waiting for?
Schedule a time to speak to her at 772-361-8448 or simply book your consultation online now.
Thanks Jaimie!
Yvette E. McDonald is the owner and counselor at Traveling Light Counseling, a practice for individuals, couples and families helping them discover the person/couple they were always meant to be, as they become the best version of self in their roles and relationships in the Port Saint Lucie and Martin County area.