Martha Haynes MS, M.ED, LMFT

I start by getting a history of the child's early life. I also ask about the caregiver's early life. Both adult and child are observed together in play to determine areas of strength and areas of need. We emphasize the strenghts while building on areas of need. We focus on moments of connection that they have and build on that.

I work with the individual on recognizing how emotions feel in the body and naming emotions they have. We use toys, books, art and sand to help facilitate communication. We focus on who our safe people are when they need help.

I work with the individual and caregivers to understand what their strengths are and what are the areas of need. We celebrate what the strengths are and build on them. I encourage the family to use the resources I give them to come up with a plan that suits their family. I also work with schools to help inform them of accommodations that might help their student. People who are neurodiverse experience the world in a different way. My goal is to help them learn skills to navigate successfully.

The child is encouraged to explore all of the toys and art materials in the room. Using synergetic play therapy I reflect how my clients are acting to build body awareness of emotions. Using an emotion focused approach the child begins to notice how their body feels in different situations. We build on this with vocabulary about emotions. The caregivers are also encouraged to notice how they react in certain situations and what that signals to the child.

A child's whole world is their family and later on, the school is added. It is important to include family in the therapy so they can make changes in the home environment. Helping everyone communicate feelings, needs and wants in a respectful way will enhance the home environment. Helping the adults understand how their own childhoods impact how they parent is valuable as well.

My focus is on the individuals needs and what the family needs together. I use whatever method will fit with them. Play therapy, art, music, talking, accepting what we can and cannot control, role playing, narrative, journaling, sand and mini-worlds, anything. The therapy is for the client not for the clinician. I feel it does not matter how we get people to communicate and connect, just that they feel empowered to do so.