Ruth Song LPC-Associate

The upper elementary years can bring big emotions, new challenges, and so many changes! I help kids develop the emotional and practical skills they need to feel more confident and independent at school, at home, and in their relationships.

As both an educator and counselor, I get the pressures teens face in balancing school, relationships, family expectations, and their own growing independence. The teenage years bring new challenges, greater independence, and important questions about identity and belonging. I provide a supportive space where teens can explore who they are, navigate life's challenges, and develop the confidence and skills to move forward with resilience.

As a trained Parent Child Interaction Therapist (PCIT) I offer support for families who are struggling to connect. Whether it be worry over your child's behaviors at school, their depressed or anxious behaviors, or the constant fighting that puts you at offs. I can come alongside and help you develop the skills to have meaningful conversations that can lead to real change and lower stress for everyone involved.

Play therapy is especially useful for younger children and teens who may not developmentally have the vocabulary to discuss their fears, worries, stressors, etc. Through play, the bar is lowered and the therapist is able to interact with the child in a natural way where they are able to observe what the issues and behaviors may be. Play therapy can also be a very good bridge into counseling for resistant teenagers who don't want to go sit on a couch and talk about their feelings.

I use DBT skills to help children and teens understand and manage big emotions, handle stressful situations, and respond to challenges in healthier ways. Together, we may practice calming strategies, recognizing emotional triggers, communicating needs, solving problems, and pausing before reacting. These practical skills can help children feel more in control and navigate challenges at home, at school, and with others.

I use CBT to help children and teens understand how their thoughts, feelings, and actions are connected. Together, we identify unhelpful thought patterns and practice more helpful ways of thinking and responding. Children can learn practical skills for managing worries, frustration, negative self-talk, and everyday challenges, helping them feel more confident and better equipped to handle difficult situations at home, at school, and with others.