Play Therapy in Dallas, TX

As a parent, it can be difficult to know what to do when your child or adolescent is experiencing emotional or behavioral difficulties. You may often feel helpless and isolated. I can help. I have had extensive training in the field of play therapy , a developmentally appropriate approach to working with children struggling with a variety of issues. Throughout this process, your child will experience a warm, safe, and accepting environment where these issues can be worked out. I will also work to help you understand your child more and provide you with ways to feel more empowered.

Welcome to Beckloff Pediatric Behavioral Center! We're a counseling and educational center focused on helping kids. In fact, that's our specialty!!! We work with kids and their families- specialists in working with kids to promote good, healthy development. Our focus with kids? We want to help children grow emotionally mature and psychologically mature. We work alongside the child or teen with difficulties in anxiety, mood issues, behavioral concerns, and those unique kids with ADHD and other neurobiological differences. And a whole lot more! We get involved in the kid's school, visiting and helping out with the teacher as well as any ARD meeting. We teach social skills to children and teens, helping with self-esteem and confidence building. And, of course, always, in the context of the family....working to help the child and teen to be a functioning member of the family. We want the entire family to benefit, and give special care to help parents find ways to help their kid. We do everything we can to help get a kid back on track, whether that is in the family, social or school arena. Come on in and let us get to work!

I realize first-hand that life can be…messy! I am passionate about helping others, specifically young children and families navigating their unique challenges, whether that be psychological or emotional challenges, or needing parental support or guidance. My therapeutic approach is collaborative and person-centered, and varies depending on my client's specific needs.

Your story doesn't end here. You are more than your experiences. I believe that everyone has the ability to heal, and it is my goal to help you find your way back to wellness. Let's start the next chapter together. My therapy approach is that of "Mind, Body, Soul" and believe that all three will influence someone's quality of life. Whether it be someone needing psychotherapy to address past traumatic events or someone who is holding their trauma in their body, everything revolves around alignment. I offer a variety of modalities that address the whole person, not just their mental needs.

Samantha enjoys working with children, adolescents, young adults, and their families. Samantha wants to empower children and families to explore and express their emotions and equip them with skills to utilize in their daily lives. Samantha has gained research and clinical experience working with children with neurodevelopment disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. Along with equipping children with emotional skills, Samantha utilizes various activities that support the development of social and executive functioning skills in session.

Sometimes, Life can be unpredictable and out of our control. During times of chaos, I aim to help my clients find hope, joy and humor; with a renewed enthusiasm for life. My goal is to create a safe place for you to land and make meaning of the hardships you encounter in those seasons. I believe people are resilient and have the capability for healing and growth, they often just need support uncovering their strength within. I specialize in working with trauma, grief and bereavement, anxiety and depression, life transitions and autism spectrum disorders.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, and have been in private practice for 17 years. Half of my practice is with adults. Issues addressed range from depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and anger to relationship and family difficulties. In addition, I counsel couples marrying or divorcing. I am trained as a family mediator. The other half of my practice is with children and adolescents in individual and group therapy.

Both children and adults have the ability to learn, grow and heal. It's my honor to hear your story through verbal communication, art or play therapy . My goal is to come along side of you and/or your child to facilitate the healing process through creative methods.

My passion is to help clients develop helpful ways of coping with everyday life and relationships, focus on inner strengths, and make choices that bring them closer to their goals. I believe our thoughts and behaviors begin in our early years and take shape through our values, beliefs, life experiences, and challenges. Discovering how these thoughts and behaviors impact our daily life is an important step toward healing and change.

Maybe you notice a change in your behavior or emotions, or that of your teen. Perhaps your relationship is not as satisfactory as it once was. The truth is, therapy can help you, your teen, or your relationship heal from the stressors you are experiencing. I treat teens, adults, couples and families; working through past traumas, improving relationships, navigating anxiety, and strengthening work/life balance. I discern my methods based on client needs and use therapeutic techniques, such as Motivational Interviewing, CBT, EMDR, and Gottman Method Couples Therapy etc. to assist my clients in achieving their therapeutic goals.

I believe that each individual, regardless of age, has the ability to grow and change given the proper tools and support. By providing a meaningful and nurturing environment, I lay the groundwork for personal insight and transformation to occur. I use a non-directive Person Centered Approach to counseling which often involves expressive arts and games. At times, when a more directive approach is appropriate, I use cognitive and/or behavioral techniques.

Are you feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck? Has a depressive episode led you to feel deeply alone? I provide a supportive outlet for children, teens, and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, or anger issues. I view my therapy approach as a collaborative team effort with you (and sometimes your family unit) to work together to improve the quality of life for everyone involved. Through empathy and therapeutic humor, I strive to create a safe place in which you can grow.

Everyone is unique and no one person's experience is the same as another. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Play Therapist, and Certified Autism Specialist, I will provide a therapeutic experience tailored to address your individual needs. Treatment modalities include play therapy , activity therapy, expressive arts, and/or talk therapy. With compassion and understanding, I will work to help you build on your strengths; I will explore your journey with you; and I will be a source of support for the entire family. It is imperative to work with a counselor who can help you be YOUR best self.

Michelle provides mental health counseling to children, adolescents, and adults. She has over ten years of experience working with clients directly impacted by abuse and trauma. Intrinsically, Michelle believes we are all capable of accomplishing our own individual goals of growth, healing, and/or change when we’re open to trusting the therapeutic process. Michelle values the importance of a strong therapeutic bond with her clients, built on mutual respect, honesty, genuine rapport, and therapeutic humor. She also believes that therapy should be a collaborative journey with her clients and the caregivers of her child clients.

(DAY TIME, EVENING AND BI WEEKLY SATURDAY APPOINTMENTS ARE AVAILABLE). Now offering sessions for revisioning, grief and trauma as well as ETT (Emotional Transformation Therapy). Counseling is external moral support as you take the path to overcome barriers that block you from growing mentally and spiritually. I believe the therapy process is a collaborative relationship between the therapist and the client. An important part in the therapy process is setting goals and helping create a wholesome conceptualization of the client. I take an eclectic approach as everyone is different in their own way.

After teaching elementary/middle school for 8 years, I pursued my Masters in School Counseling and became a school counselor where I advocated for students through communication with parents, teachers, and administration. I was also the 504 coordinator. As a school counselor I helped students with learning disorders such as dyslexia and dysgraphia. I also helped students with self-esteem, anxiety, adhd, depression, autism, grief, PTSD, and social skills. I am trained in child centered play therapy . I use techniques from play therapy , person-centered therapy, motivational interviewing, and art to help my clients grow and heal.

Reaching out for therapy can be a scary and confusing process and yet we all need support and help at times. Whether it's navigating recent changes in your life or facing life changing or traumatic events, I am here to help you navigate through this process.