Therapy and Counseling in Santa Cruz

Stacy O’Leary

Call me at (831) 419-2019 or email stacy@stacyoleary.com

 
 

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Counseling with Children

As a licensed child counselor in Santa Cruz, I work with children of all ages.  I love working with kids.  Counseling or therapy can be particularly effective for children, since they have had less time to get set in fixed patterns.

If you are looking at this website, you are likely a parent concerned for your child, which can be so difficult.  Of course, you want the very best life for your child, so it is painful to see your child having any difficulties.  I am glad you are reaching out and looking at possibilities for help.

My Approach - Play Therapy & Counseling
I use a blend of therapeutic play and counseling.

Children use play, images, movement, talking, and metaphor to process issues and heal.  Therefore, my approach includes play therapy, sandtray, artwork, and talk therapy/counseling. 

Playing or being involved in an activity helps children feel more comfortable and more open to talking about issues, so I talk with children about issues while we play together.  In addition to encouraging a sense of safety, these techniques help children process the issues that are bothering them.

Therapeutic play is important in how children heal.  While many adults think of play as meaningless or unimportant, play seems to be an important part of brain development.

During sessions, I am usually on the floor playing with children and guiding the play in a therapeutic way.

I am nonjudgmental and non-blaming, so children tend to feel comfortable sharing about difficult issues.

When anyone in the family suffers, the whole family suffers.  It is very painful to see your child having difficulties.  My approach is to involve the parents or guardians as much as possible.

With any individual or any family, there are areas that are strengths and areas that you want to change.  I tend to focus both on what you want to change and on building from current strengths.

I work individually with kids as young as 4 years old and involve the parents (and possibly siblings whenever appropriate).  For children under 4 yrs, I typically want to work with the family, depending on the individual situation.  Even when a child is seen individually, I talk with the parents often about the child’s progress and family dynamics.

You can also read my pages on Sandtray and Art Therapy for more information about these techniques.

My Counseling Office
I have a separate playroom with many types of toys, art supplies, and sandtray.
Kids tend to feel comfortable very quickly in my office.  Often, parents are concerned that their child will be confused or scared by counseling.  However, usually children start exploring and playing immediately.

What Issues Can Be Addressed in Therapy?
Children come to therapy for many reasons:

  1. •Increasing self-esteem and self-confidence

  2. •Healing past trauma

  3. •Processing grief and loss

  4. •Finding better ways to express emotions

  5. •Healing from depression or anxiety

  6. •Resolving social difficulties/shyness

  7. •Resolving school problems

  8. •Coping with difficult life transitions

  9. •Learning ways to reduce and cope with stress

  10. •Increasing resilience and joy

Regardless of the issue, know that there is help.  You and your child are not alone.

Therapy License Information
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT or LMFT) (formerly called Licensed Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor).  LMFTs work with children, teenagers, adults, couples, and families.  For more information about me, please visit my home page.

Therapy Office in Santa Cruz
My office is in Santa Cruz, California at the intersection of Soquel Ave. and Branciforte Ave., above The Buttery bakery and cafe.

704 Soquel Ave., Suite C
Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Directions to my Santa Cruz office


I offer a free phone consultation to give you a chance to ask questions, better understand how I work, and decide if we are a good fit.

To schedule an appointment or ask questions, you can call me at (831) 419-2019 or email me at stacy@stacyoleary.com.





704 Soquel Ave., Suite C, Santa Cruz, CA 95062  ~  (831) 419-2019  ~  stacy@stacyoleary.com

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© Stacy O’Leary 2004-2011

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Child therapy and counseling in Santa Cruz, serving Soquel, Aptos, Capitola, Watsonville, Scotts Valley, and Santa Cruz / Santa Clara / Monterey Counties.  Helping children, teenagers, and adults with depression, anxiety, addiction, trauma, grief, and self-esteem.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.