Life can be difficult, experiences that are distressing or disturbing can contribute to troubling emotions and fears that get in the way of feeling whole, happy and fulfilled. Therapy provides tools that you can use to improve the quality of your life. Working together we will utilize therapeutic treatment methods that reduce and eliminate unwanted anxiety, debilitating depression, and severe stress caused by traumatic events. "Traumatic events" could include sexual assault, experiencing or witnessing domestic violence or any other types of violence, being in an automobile accident, being in or witnessing a fire, etc. Traumatic stress can also be caused by being exposed to perceived threats which might initially appear to be mild, especially if they existed over an extended period of time. (for example growing up in a hostile environment or being teased a lot as a child) Deep seated traumas, emotions that may be difficult to reach through talk therapy alone, can be uncovered and understood through non-verbal and creative avenues, such as those used in Sandtray Therapy and EMDR.At New Directions, our approach is strengths based, honoring who you are and what you are capable of being and achieving. Our client base includes pre-teens, adolescents, adults and older adults. You are unique, as are your reasons for seeking assistance. Together we will work out a customized treatment plan that allows you to feel safe and valued as you progress toward specific therapy goals at your own pace. You may have many other questions about therapy and about your particular concerns. Please feel free to call to discuss your situation and how we may be able to assist you.
Sandtray work is a form of expressive therapy which allows a person to construct a microcosm of his or her world using miniature figurines, sand, and sometimes water. The scene created acts as a reflection of the person's own life and allows him or her the opportunity to resolve conflicts, remove obstacles, and gain acceptance with or without the use of words. Sandtray Therapy can be helpful to both adults and children and can be used in both individual and family therapy.