Client Profiles

Children and adolescents can develop a variety of symptoms and disorders that can impair family, school, and social functioning, but which I have found to be highly responsive to therapeutic intervention. Below are some clinical patterns that I have frequently encountered in my practice which can present either singularly or in combined forms.

• Depression
• Bi-Polar Disorder
• Anxiety
• Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Conduct Disorder
• Asperger’s Syndrome
• Substance Use Disorders

Depression

Chronic or acute feelings of sadness, hopelessness, unworthiness and guilt; irritability and anger; decreased energy and feelings of fatigue; loss of interest or enjoyment in usual activities; a decline in concentration and productivity; changes in sleep and appetite; suicidal ideation and/or self-harming behaviors.

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Bi-Polar Disorder

Severe, abrupt, cyclical changes in mood alternating from depressed to elated; easily and extremely agitated and irritable; grandiosity and unrealistic plans and expectations; excessive energy and reduced need for sleep; highly impulsive and impairments in judgment.

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Anxiety

Excessive ongoing worry, and/or fearfulness; tension and irritability; school refusal, phobias, panic attacks; distress over separation from caregivers; compulsive thoughts and rituals; difficulty concentrating; trouble falling or staying asleep; fatigue, headaches and other somatic complaints.

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Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)

Poor concentration; easily distracted and off-task; restlessness; trouble following directions; forgetfulness; poor frustration tolerance; hyperactivity; impulsivity; peer and social difficulties; usually evident before age seven; occurs across home, school, and social settings.

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Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Frequent arguing; angry outbursts; refusal to comply with requests and rules; deliberate attempts to annoy or frustrate others; inability to take responsibility for actions; frequently spiteful and vindictive.

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Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Exposure to terrifying or life-threatening circumstances; intrusive thoughts; avoidance and withdrawal; flashbacks; nightmares and interrupted sleep; hyper-vigilance and exaggerated startle response; emotional numbness and detachment; feelings of irritability and depression; re-enactment of traumatic or morbid themes in play and art.

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Conduct Disorder

Frequent fighting; bullies intimidates and threatens others; stealing; destruction of property; cruelty towards people and/or animals; fire-setting; lying and manipulation of others; moderate to severe aggression; severe non-compliance with rules; curfew violations and runaway behavior.

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Asperger’s Syndrome

Difficulty with routine transitions; trouble understanding social cues, body language and facial expressions; poor modulation of speech; avoids eye contact; fixation with only one or few interests; preoccupation with non-functional routines, details and rules; focused on parts of objects; repetitive movements and gestures; impaired fine and/or gross motor skills; acute sensitivity to touch, taste, textures, and loud sounds; usually has normal language development and average to above average intelligence.

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Substance Use Disorders

Self-medicating through the use of alcohol, marijuana, amphetamines, cocaine, inhalants, over-the-counter drugs, prescription drugs, etc. Often called co-occurring disorders due to presence of additional significant mental health issues such those detailed above. 

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