I specialized in working with adolescent girls to support their growth and help them recognize their strengths. I provide individual therapy, family therapy and after-school therapy groups (please see below). I work with teen girls individually to help them develop skills towards being their best self and learn skills to calm intense emotions or strong impulses. I also provide parent coaching and work with the family to develop a plan to support family trust and her transition toward greater independence, self-care and confidence.
I offer "Eco-Therapy" groups that take place outdoors in beautiful open spaces and parks in the East Bay and Marin. In Oakland, our after-school and weekend therapeutic programs meet at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park, Lake Merritt Community Garden and other east bay parks. Our groups support teens through transitional years by helping them develop skills to manage difficult emotions, grow self-esteem and learn mindfulness practices.
Our eco-therapy programs are a partnership with Stepping Out Stepping In (SOSI) and are led by Tara Reinertson, Naturalist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and registered MFT interns. Included within your registration are one parent or family meeting through video, to understand your teens struggles and help develop emotional and behavioral goals for your teen. Our therapy groups help adolescents find their "inner-compass" as they have the space to connect to their own developing values, concerns and see their capacity for self-directing healthy choices. We utilize proven successful therapeutic practices from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy(ACT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and work to help your teen recognize her strengths and build her emotional and relational skills. Please see Tara's MFT website for more information.
Covid-19 Statement:
During this unprecedented time, we are offering small groups for teen girls (max 5 girls/ group) during the Covid-19 Pandemic. We recognize the intense stress that is caused by isolation and how important social connection is toward emotional growth during teen years. These groups are designed to be both emotionally and physically safe and conducted outdoors at a beautiful shoreline park in Oakland. We will require all teens to wear masks, keep socially distant while engaging in meaningful dialogue and activities that include connection with self, place and stewardship of the natural environment.
What teens need to bring:
All teens need to bring a cloth face mask, camp chair (something like this Kelty Camp Chair), water bottle, sunscreen, layered clothing (including a warm layer such as fleece jacket if it gets windy) and wear comfortable walking/hiking shoes (no open toed shoes). A small backpack with afternoon snacks if needed. We will provide each teen with a nature journal and their own set of colored pencils and other writing equipment. We will also provide hand sanitizer and gloves for when we do a beach clean up or other beach stewardship activities.
Groups:
"Growing Space" An outdoor-therapy group for Pre-Teen girls (ages 11-13) ~ Fall 2020:
This outdoor therapy group is for PreTeen girls (ages 11-13) and will meet once a week on Mondays from 3-5pm. Groups are limited to five girls and will meet at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park. Fee: $400.00/4 sessions: 1st session starts 8/31. 2nd Session starts 10/5. (Must register for all sessions).
"From Here to There " A Nature-Therapy Group for teenage girls (ages 14-16) ~ Fall 2020:
This outdoor therapy group is for Teen girls (ages 14-16) and will meet once a week on Wednesdays from 3-5pm. Groups are limited to five girls and will meet at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park. Fee: $400.00/4 sessions: 1st session starts 9/2. 2nd Session starts 10/7. (Must register for all sessions).
To apply for either of the groups above, please Contact Me or call 510-496-3440 for more details and to set up an initial phone interview. We will then schedule a short in-person video meeting with you and your teen to learn more about areas for growth or particular life challenges for your teen. Once we have decided that this is the right program for your teen, then you can register and pay on-line. Register by August 15th. If you have any questions or would like to set up a phone conversation please send contact me here.