Overview of Services:
For mood and anxiety disorders, I typically adhere to a Cognitive Behavioral approach. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (including branches of CBT like Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Exposure Response Prevention Therapy) is one of the most effective forms of therapy for these disorders. However, depending on the needs and circumstances of the individual I am working with, other modalities such as Motivational Interviewing, Behavioral Therapy, trauma focused treatment, attachment based treatment, among others, can also be utilized. Play therapy is often combined depending on the age and need of the child.
Mental Health Evaluations
We provide comprehensive evaluations for mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma, ADHD, (to name a few), and use only the most up to date valid and reliable assessments to gather information formally. Contact us to find out more!
Treatment modalities we offer:
Trauma focused treatment:
Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
TF-CBT is an evidenced based therapy for children who have experienced trauma. It focuses on helping children who have varying degrees of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, as well as their parent(s) or caregiver(s). It has been found to be effective with children as young as 3 years old to an 18 year old adolescent. TF-CBT addresses biopsychosocial needs of children with therapy that combines cognitive behavioral therapy and trauma informed interventions. Children and parents are provided education and skills related to trauma. Although originally developed for victims of sexual abuse, there is evidence that it is effective with a variety of traumas, such as physical and verbal abuse, domestic violence, terrorism, natural disasters, car accidents, bullying, community violence, traumatic grief, and multiple traumatic events. It is considered more short term, with the typical length of treatment being between 12 and 20 weeks, with up to 30 weeks for those with more complicated trauma. Find out more on the TF-CBT website.
Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)
CPP is an evidence based attachment style therapy for children ages birth through 6 years old who have experienced trauma. Originally developed for children who had been exposed to domestic violence, it has also been found to be effective for children exposed to child maltreatment. This therapeutic model involves dyadic work, or work that involves the child AND a primary caregiver/parent. Consistency with that parent at every session is essential. This therapy typically lasts about a year and has been found to be very effective. Find out more on the Child Parent Psychotherapy website.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy Prolonged Exposure (DBT PE)
DBT PE was created by Dr. Melanie Harned in order to provide trauma focused treatment to those individuals who also struggle with suicidal and self-injurious symptoms. This treatment can be utilized with both adolescents and adults. Prolonged Exposure (PE) has been utilized in trauma treatment since the 1980’s when Dr. Edna Foa first created it. Both PE and DBT PE have been substantially researched and viewed as highly effective treatments for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The core of the treatment focuses on using imaginal and in vivo (real life) exposure followed by processing. This treatment can “comprehensively address the full range of problems experienced by high-risk, severe, and complex clients with PTSD.” (DBT PE website) You can learn more about Dr. Harned and DBT PE, the most up to date research about it and training at the DBT PE website.
Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Behavioral Difficulties:
Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adolescents (DBT-A)
DBT was originally developed for adult women who suffered from self-injurious or suicidal behaviors. However, it has increasingly been researched and found to be effective for a variety of other populations, including teenagers experiencing bipolar disorder, depression, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, conduct disorders, substance abuse issues, self-injurious behaviors, suicidality, parent/child issues, and others. DBT usually involves a more intensive approach, where both individual therapy for the adolescent, as well as a parent/teen group session are required each week. Both are very skills based. Groups typically last about 20 sessions, with individual therapy lasting as long as needed. Family counseling and emergency coaching sessions may also occur between sessions as appropriate and needed by the individual or family. Find out more about DBT from its source at the Behavioral Tech website.
Although we focus on individuals under 18 years old, we recognize the need for adults to learn skills to help supplement their individual work. As such, we also provide DBT skills groups specific to adults. To find out more, feel free to contact us!
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
ERP is derived from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and is the gold standard for treatment Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). In particular, ERP exposes an individual to the thoughts, images, objects, and situations that cause anxiety and activate the obsessions, and then purposefully restricting any attached compulsions. This is completed using a hierarchy specifically targeting the irrational fears that have become so overdeveloped that they impact functioning. There are also types of OCD where the compulsions are not obvious, as they are completed internally (i.e. saying a religious prayer after a “bad thought”). Depending, these are sometimes called “Pure O” OCD. For more information about OCD, the different types, and how ERP can work, check out the International OCD Foundation here.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT has been found useful for a variety of issues and disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, phobias, alcohol and drug use, marital issues, eating disorders, among others. CBT treatment typically involves targeting unhelpful or inaccurate thinking patterns and learning different ways to change them. This, in turn, helps change ineffective behavioral patterns. For more information, you can check out the American Psychological Association’s brief article about CBT here.
Parenting Programs and Curricula:
Safe Care
Safe Care is an evidence-based curriculum that provides training for parents who are at risk for child maltreatment and have a child under the age of 5 years old. It is designed to be provided within the home environment of the client, with weekly sessions. This is not therapy, but instead an instructional tool aimed at supporting parents. Typical duration is between 18 to 20 weeks. Check out the National Safecare Training and Research Center website.
Circle of Security
The Circle of Security is an evidence based 8 week program that offers caregivers an understanding of attachment and how this impacts interactions between children and their caregivers. Applying The Circle to interactions helps increased understanding that undesired behaviors are communication of a need on the Circle. If you want to change the behavior, caregivers learn how to meet the need behind the behaviors. This increases caregivers confidence and increases cooperative and compliant behaviors in children. For more information, check out The Circle of Security website!
Looking for Consultation or Supervision?
Qualified Supervisor
Meghan is certified as a Qualified Supervisor for Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors in the state of Idaho.
Meghan also provides consultation to individuals and clinics specific to learning and implementing evidence based treatments with children, adolescents, and families.
Looking for Training?
Meghan is passionate about providing quality training in a variety of topics, and has done so since working at the University of Colorado Medical School, providing Grand Rounds presentations to other faculty and staff, as well as workshops, trainings, and presentations to organizations and clinics throughout the United States. Some topics Meghan has provided trainings and presentations on include: Evidence Based Treatment for Children Who Have Experienced Trauma; How Trauma Impacts Neurological Development in Children; Utilizing TF-CBT with Complex PTSD; Ethical Standards of Reporting Child Maltreatment; Overview of Implementing Dialectical Behavior Therapy with Suicidal Adolescents; Preventing Burn Out and Supporting Trauma Therapists. If you are interested in having Meghan present, please reach out to us! We would love to discuss your training needs and how Meghan can help!