- Child Advocate - I will help you see that the needs of children will be served by the school district.
- Adolescent Specialist - As founder of Tough Love I will assist families with adolescents facing social & academic pressures as well as potentially life-threatening habits & behaviors.
- Individual Psychotherapy - This is a collaborative process between myself & my client that aims to facilitate change & improve quality of life.
- Couples Therapy - This is a process in which I work with the couple, both individually and together in an effort to recognize, and to better manage or reconcile troublesome differences and repeating patterns of stress upon the relationship.
- Anxiety - Everyone experiences some level of anxiety periodically, but when feelings of dread or worry are unfocused, overwhelming, recurring and not directly linked to stressful events, it is time to seek a professional.
- Dysfunctional Family Relationships - I work with attachments & adult relationship bonds as well as dysfunctional family relationships including separation & divorce issues & separation issues. I also work with Geriatric Issues with older adults within family issues.
- Hypnotherapy - As a licensed Hypnotherapist I use this to create subconscious change in my patient to form new responses, thoughts, attitudes, behaviors & feelings. I use it to assist with pain management, addictions, cancer, Olympics & skill levels as well as school problems
- Autism and Related Issues - I am licensed to work with infant, child, as well as family with a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, verbal & nonverbal communication & restricted & repetitive behavior.
What is Anxiety
Anxiety is defined as nervousness, apprehension and self-doubt that may or may not be associated with real life stressors. Everyone experiences some level of anxiety periodically, but when feelings of dread or worry are unfocused, overwhelming, recurring and not directly linked to stressful events, it is time to seek a professional. Anxiety may leave you feeling severely impaired. The important thing to consider is to determine if this anxiety is interfering with your daily functioning.
Individual Psychotherapy
This is a collaborative process between myself & my client that aims to facilitate change & improve quality of life. This process assists clients to confront barriers that interfere with their emotional & mental wellbeing, as well as increasing positive feelings such as courage, compassion, self-esteem, love, and peace. I have found that my clients enjoy the therapeutic journey towards self-awareness, self-growth and self-actualization. Self-Actualization is the stage when the client is able to take full advantage of his or her talents while being mindful of his or her limitations. I see this stage as an enlightened maturity characterized by the achievement of goals, acceptance of oneself, & ability to self-assess in a positive & realistic way.
I use psychotherapy to treat specific diagnosable mental health conditions such as Anxiety, Depression, or ADHD, in addition to everyday concerns, such as relationship problems, stress management, career ambitions, or other issues that may affect a person’s mental well-being.
When specific issues or mental health conditions begin to cause distress & interfere with a person’s normal activities, it may be a time to seek therapy. Distress can manifest in a form of problematic beliefs, feelings, behaviors, and sensations in the body. At this point I will facilitate life-style changes by assisting to identify underlying causes of symptoms & provide specific strategies or techniques for changing unwanted thoughts, behaviors, & emotions.
I use psychotherapy to treat specific diagnosable mental health conditions such as Anxiety, Depression, or ADHD, in addition to everyday concerns, such as relationship problems, stress management, career ambitions, or other issues that may affect a person’s mental well-being.
When specific issues or mental health conditions begin to cause distress & interfere with a person’s normal activities, it may be a time to seek therapy. Distress can manifest in a form of problematic beliefs, feelings, behaviors, and sensations in the body. At this point I will facilitate life-style changes by assisting to identify underlying causes of symptoms & provide specific strategies or techniques for changing unwanted thoughts, behaviors, & emotions.
Couples Therapy
This is a process in which I work with the couple, both individually and together in an effort to recognize, and to better manage or reconcile troublesome differences and repeating patterns of stress upon the relationship.
Throughout the therapeutic process, I will help both partners to see the relationship in a more objective manner. This way they learn to stop the ‘blame game’ and instead focus on how they each change as a process involving each partner. I will also help them modify their dysfunctional behaviors- the ways the partners behave with each other. As a team we practice bringing out emotions and thoughts that they feared sharing with their partner before. This helps to decrease emotional avoidance. I will also coach the couple to communicate more effectively. And, finally, I will point out strengths in the relationship and derive more enjoyment out of their relationship.
In this way, couples in troubled relationships need not give up in despair if their situation seems bleak.
Throughout the therapeutic process, I will help both partners to see the relationship in a more objective manner. This way they learn to stop the ‘blame game’ and instead focus on how they each change as a process involving each partner. I will also help them modify their dysfunctional behaviors- the ways the partners behave with each other. As a team we practice bringing out emotions and thoughts that they feared sharing with their partner before. This helps to decrease emotional avoidance. I will also coach the couple to communicate more effectively. And, finally, I will point out strengths in the relationship and derive more enjoyment out of their relationship.
In this way, couples in troubled relationships need not give up in despair if their situation seems bleak.
Aspergers Treatment (Under the umbrella of Autism)
As a parent or relative of a child with Asperger’s, it can be difficult to find a treatment that will address the child’s needs. But here at The Humane Connection, we understand your frustration. Anyone seeking Asperger’s treatment or therapy for children is welcome here.
Research in this area has found that these children with Asperger’s are highly visual. Some gifted ones might have careers as computer programmers, doctors, engineers, architects, artists even when suffering from a communication disorder. Verbal fluency comes from a different area of the brain than other forms of communication. The verbal brain needs to be given a chance to catch up.
Verbal fluency is about saying the right thing at the right time. Having a sense of how to correctly build a relationship would be linked to verbal fluency. The development of the brain is both fascinating and greatly studied. Verbal and Visual Abilities are tested and re-mediated to in schools.
Children with Asperger’s might have trouble making and keeping friends. Asperger’s appears to be a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social impairment, communication difficulties, and restrictive, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior. Asperger’s is only one Disorder in the Autism Spectrum.
Trust is a missing factor in many of these children and the animal connection assists our staff to build this most needed personality trait. We treat the Trust Factor with the use of our Animal Staff, which assists in developing the verbal ability in our children.
Research in this area has found that these children with Asperger’s are highly visual. Some gifted ones might have careers as computer programmers, doctors, engineers, architects, artists even when suffering from a communication disorder. Verbal fluency comes from a different area of the brain than other forms of communication. The verbal brain needs to be given a chance to catch up.
Verbal fluency is about saying the right thing at the right time. Having a sense of how to correctly build a relationship would be linked to verbal fluency. The development of the brain is both fascinating and greatly studied. Verbal and Visual Abilities are tested and re-mediated to in schools.
Children with Asperger’s might have trouble making and keeping friends. Asperger’s appears to be a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social impairment, communication difficulties, and restrictive, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior. Asperger’s is only one Disorder in the Autism Spectrum.
Trust is a missing factor in many of these children and the animal connection assists our staff to build this most needed personality trait. We treat the Trust Factor with the use of our Animal Staff, which assists in developing the verbal ability in our children.
Treatment for Autism
Time is important for families with children diagnosed on the Autistic Spectrum. At the Humane Connection we recognize this and utilize a treatment approach that was once called Behavioral Modification along with many of the theories of Psychoanalysis.
Our treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorders are family based, comprehensive, child friendly and intensive. The cornerstones to effective treatment are both parent involvement and an individualized treatment plan. We use the assessment process to build an individualized Autism treatment plan with each child, as well as assessments by Dr. Linnan when needed. Each plan is continually monitored to be sure that we adapt to the child’s learning process. We also offer Child Advocacy Services when needed.
Our treatment approach works with Applied Behavioral Analysis methodology. ABA is the only research proven treatment for children on the Autism Spectrum.
It is hard to differentiate each section of our Autism treatments. We will give you a statement of Applied Behavior Analysis which includes:
Our treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorders are family based, comprehensive, child friendly and intensive. The cornerstones to effective treatment are both parent involvement and an individualized treatment plan. We use the assessment process to build an individualized Autism treatment plan with each child, as well as assessments by Dr. Linnan when needed. Each plan is continually monitored to be sure that we adapt to the child’s learning process. We also offer Child Advocacy Services when needed.
Our treatment approach works with Applied Behavioral Analysis methodology. ABA is the only research proven treatment for children on the Autism Spectrum.
It is hard to differentiate each section of our Autism treatments. We will give you a statement of Applied Behavior Analysis which includes:
- Functional Assessments of Problem Behavior
- Reinforcement based strategies for teaching new behaviors
- Generalization Goals
- Parent Training
- Teaching functionally equivalent replacement behaviors
Animal Therapy for Autism
Children diagnosed with Autism are always unique, always special in each of their own separate ways. Yet, there seems to be a universal attraction to animals for all children. Man’s best friend might also be your child’s best friend, according to some studies on the interaction between animals and children. Our animal therapy for autism is further proof of this.
There are many reports from both parents and clinicians that interacting with animals, formally called Animal Assisted Therapy, can offer both physical and emotional benefits with children diagnosed with Autism.
We, at The Humane Connection, have witnessed the connection between children diagnosed with Autism and our animal staff, first hand. When they are around their chosen Animal Staff Member for therapy, these children seem to spontaneously act more playful, act happier, and are more focused. These animals have a profound impact on children diagnosed with Autism.
Working with our Animal Staff gives these children a therapy that can help them become more physically developed and improve their strength, coordination, and physical abilities. The important strength in this bonding is the joy that our children derive from our Animal Family. This gives children diagnosed with Autism a sense of well-being and more self-confidence.
If you are interested in Animal Assisted Therapy please Contact Us and let us give you a one-time fee free visit.
There are many reports from both parents and clinicians that interacting with animals, formally called Animal Assisted Therapy, can offer both physical and emotional benefits with children diagnosed with Autism.
We, at The Humane Connection, have witnessed the connection between children diagnosed with Autism and our animal staff, first hand. When they are around their chosen Animal Staff Member for therapy, these children seem to spontaneously act more playful, act happier, and are more focused. These animals have a profound impact on children diagnosed with Autism.
Working with our Animal Staff gives these children a therapy that can help them become more physically developed and improve their strength, coordination, and physical abilities. The important strength in this bonding is the joy that our children derive from our Animal Family. This gives children diagnosed with Autism a sense of well-being and more self-confidence.
If you are interested in Animal Assisted Therapy please Contact Us and let us give you a one-time fee free visit.