Our Psychotherapy services help children, adolescents, and adults develop confidence, strengthen social and communication skills, and better cope with emotional, interpersonal, and behavioral challenges.

Psychotherapy at Our Clinic

Psychotherapy helps youth (and their families) and individual adults who are experiencing upsetting thoughts, emotions or behavior. The approach relies on establishing safe, trusting relationships where communication is a basic tool for clarifying and understanding personal experiences, hopes, needs, wishes, and worries.  Talking, playing, and drawing are all important ways of sharing feelings and resolving problems in psychotherapy.

As part of the initial assessment, the clinician at Ann Martin Center will evaluate specific concerns based on the child and the family’s past and current struggles, developmental and family history, cultural considerations, parent-child interactions, and ability to work together in treatment.

The relationship that develops between the clinician and the client (and family) is very important. The child or adult must feel comfortable, safe, and understood. This type of trusting environment makes it easier to express thoughts and feelings.

Psychotherapy can help by providing emotional support for psychological or behavioral difficulties, and then strategies for resolving conflict.  The goals for therapy may be focused (e.g. improving relations with peers at school) or more general (e.g. less anxiety and improved self-esteem). The length of psychotherapy varies and will partly depend on the complexity and intensity of the concerns.

For parents and caregivers, it is important to us that you feel engaged with your child’s therapy and we will work closely with you to discuss the goals and progress of treatment.

Psychotherapy can help if you or your child/teenager: 

• feel sad, withdrawn, depressed or isolated
• are repeatedly angry, irritable, confrontational or argumentative
• show persistent anxiety or fear
• have trouble managing homework, school, or chores
• have trouble focusing attention (ADHD)
• have suffered recent loss such as a friend or loved one
• experience changes in mood, difficulty with memory or concentration
• experience feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness or low self-esteem
• experience a loss (or increase) in appetite or significant weight loss or gain
• experience sleep disturbances
• engage in impulsive, high risk behaviors
• display self-harming behaviors such as hurting oneself (e.g cutting) or using/abusing drugs and/or alcohol
• have experienced loss due to death or the chronic illness of a loved one
• have been exposed to traumatic events, including physical assault or sexual abuse
• have suicidal feelings, thoughts or gestures
• hear voices or experience intrusive thoughts

Psychotherapy can be beneficial for:

• emotional development
• self-esteem
• social skills
• attention
• dealing with anger and other emotional distress
• talking about and understanding feelings

For more information or to set up an appointment today, contact the Clinical Intake Coordinator, Linda Hirshfeld, PhD at , . Linda is available by phone Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 1-3pm, and Tuesdays & Thursdays between 12-2pm.