Our Approach and Specialized Areas

---

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and Playful EMDR are evidence-based approachs that can be beneficial for children, teens, and adults who have experienced trauma or distressing life events. EMDR involves using bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, taps, or sounds, to help individuals process and reprocess traumatic memories or negative beliefs associated with these events. By engaging in EMDR therapy, clients can experience a reduction in the emotional distress and physiological arousal related to their trauma, leading to a greater sense of empowerment and resolution. EMDR is a collaborative and structured therapy that can be adapted to suit the unique needs and developmental stages of children, teens, and adults, making it a valuable tool for trauma recovery.

Play therapy is a specialized, evidence-based approach that recognizes play as a child’s natural language and toys as their words. In a safe therapeutic environment, children use play to express complex thoughts and navigate "big" feelings that they may not yet have the vocabulary to explain verbally. This process allows them to process stressful experiences, develop problem-solving skills, and discover more adaptive ways of relating to the world around them. For families, play therapy serves as a bridge, fostering deeper emotional connections and helping parents understand the underlying needs behind their child's behavior. By prioritizing the child's unique way of communicating, families can move toward a more harmonious home environment and sustainable long-term wellness. Through this collaborative journey, children gain the confidence to express their true selves while building the resilience needed to face life's challenges.

Theraplay® offers a dynamic and playful approach to strengthening the bond between children and their parents or caregivers. Through structured activities and interactions, Theraplay® focuses on enhancing attachment, building trust, and promoting emotional regulation. This therapeutic approach emphasizes the importance of secure attachment and nurtures positive parent-child relationships by fostering warmth, attunement, and joy in interactions. By engaging in Theraplay®, children and parents can experience increased feelings of connection, improved communication, and a deeper understanding of each other's needs, ultimately leading to greater resilience and well-being within the family unit.

Traumatic loss is a deeply personal experience that happens when a death feels sudden, overwhelming, or incredibly difficult to make sense of. In these moments, it is natural for both children and adults to feel lost  in the shock, as if the mind and body are working overtime just to feel safe again. Therapy offers a gentle, unhurried space to begin honoring those big feelings without the pressure to move faster in healing. By focusing on high-quality care that prioritizes emotional safety, we help children and families find their footing again. Together, we work to soothe the heart and mind while slowly weave the memory of your loved one into a story of resilience and enduring love.

At Mariposa Family Therapy, we recognize that adoption is a beautiful way to build a family—one that also begins with a significant story of separation and loss. Our work is rooted in the understanding that children need to experience a deep sense of "felt safety" before they can truly believe they are inherently lovable and belong. Through our parent-involved and child-centered therapies, we aim to focus on the heart of the child and the strength of your unique bond.

We provide a gentle, high-quality space where we help center both the mind and body while nurturing the secure attachment necessary for your child to believe, to their very core, that they are cherished. Together, we work to weave your child’s whole history into a narrative of worthiness, ensuring they know they are a precious and permanent part of your family. Our goal is to support you in becoming the steady anchor your child needs to flourish and find peace in their identity.

Trauma experienced before we had words for it—preverbal or developmental trauma—can profoundly impact our adult and child selves. These early wounds, from neglect to disrupted attachment can lead to anxiety, relationship issues, and a pervasive sense of unease.

Our practice specializes in gently addressing these deep-seated imprints. We use a holistic approach tailored to each person's unique journey, focusing on modalities that access and integrate early experiences without relying solely on verbal recall. 

High conflict co-parenting presents with immense challenges and emotional toll that ongoing parental disputes can inflict upon families, especially children. My practice is dedicated to providing comprehensive, child-focused co-parenting services designed to navigate these complex dynamics and foster healthier, more stable environments for all involved.

Our High-Conflict Co-Parenting Services:

• Individual Child Therapy:  A safe and confidential space for children to process their feelings, develop coping strategies, and build resilience.
• Family Therapy: When appropriate, family therapy sessions are offered to address the broader family system. 
• Co-Parenting Coaching: For parents grappling with persistent conflict, our co-parenting coaching services provide practical tools and strategies to de-escalate disputes, improve communication, and establish effective boundaries. This includes guidance on creating clear parenting plans, managing challenging interactions, and maintaining a child-centered focus even when disagreements arise. My role is to empower parents to move from a position of adversarial conflict to one of cooperative co-parenting, prioritizing their children's needs above their own differences.

Understanding Our Fee Structure:

The cost of our services varies based on the degree of intervention required and any court involvement. High-conflict cases often necessitate more intensive and specialized support, and services that involve court reports, expert testimony, or specific court-ordered interventions will be priced accordingly. We are committed to transparency and will discuss all fees upfront, ensuring you understand the investment involved in creating a more peaceful future for your family. Our priority is to provide the most effective and appropriate level of support to help your family thrive.