Joe Walker JD, LCMHCA, MA

I’ve been working with children in some capacity for many years. As a counselor, I utilize play therapy to communicate with kids at their developmental level. Play therapy allows young people to show their emotions through free and creative expression.

As a father of six kids, including four biological children and two adopted children, I know first-hand that there’s no parenting handbook with all the answers! I do appreciate, however, how a supportive, nonjudgmental therapist or coach can help parents design strategies to manage stress, set boundaries, establish expectations, etc. It often takes a village. I’m here to help.

The teenage years can be the most difficult for many … especially today, when the internet and social media has literally changed the way we consume information. As a child graduates into adolescence, they enter a critical period known as “identity formation,” which can be both exciting and paralyzing all at once. I’m passionate about helping teens navigate these waters using proven techniques in a safe, supportive environment.

Child-Centered Play Therapy is grounded in the science of child development and psychology. It recognizes that play is the natural language of children, allowing them to express complex emotions and experiences non-verbally. Through this process, children learn to process and regulate their emotions, develop problem-solving skills, and build self-esteem. Child-Centered Play Therapy is not just play; it's a scientifically supported method that unlocks a child's potential for growth.

Narrative therapy understands that individuals construct their realities through stories they tell about themselves and their experiences. By examining and reshaping these narratives, clients can reframe their perspectives and find new solutions to their challenges. Narrative therapy draws on the research showing how storytelling impacts our understanding of self and the world, empowering individuals to become the authors of their own lives.

At its core, CBT operates on the principle that our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are interconnected. It draws from cognitive science, which explores how our thoughts influence our emotions and behaviors. CBT posits that dysfunctional thought patterns can lead to negative emotions and behaviors. Through systematic examination and restructuring of these thoughts, individuals can change their emotional responses and, consequently, their behaviors.