Child, Family and Group Counseling NYC
For Children, Teens, Parents and Adults with developmental trauma
diana@dramasol.com • 917-656-5014
Children
Are your children struggling with stress, separation anxiety, emotion regulation, making friends, anger outbursts or other behavior problems?
How I can help: Children develop life skills through play. In addition to traditional talk therapy, I use expressive arts therapies such as creative drama, music and art to help children work through difficult feelings. Big emotions such as anger or sorrow need a voice to be expressed and heard. I hold a safe play space for children to freely communicate their feelings as we work together on positive expression, appropriate behavior and life skills.
Adolescents
Are your adolescents grappling with anxiety, self esteem, bullying, depression, peer pressure, body image, or defiant behaviors?
How I can help: Adolescence is a tumultuous time. In addition to dealing with school, peer pressure and sexuality, issues such as divorce and living in an unpredictable world compound the challenges even more. I appreciate the developmental complexities of this age group and understand why some adults find it difficult to understand young people’s feelings and behaviors.
My thirty years of experience working in schools, hospitals and other youth settings has taught me how to create a safe, non-judgmental space for youth to explore life issues and address conflicts. Drawing on my tools as a drama therapist, I use role play, theater games and storytelling to help them safely explore the different roles they play in life; and once self awareness is sparked, I offer practical tools that can replace negative behavior.
Parents
Are you struggling to manage your children’s emotions, school refusal or life transitions? Do you struggle with your own stress or have a history of childhood trauma?
How I can help: I have an attachment based approach and develop a personalized treatment plan to meet the needs of every parent. I offer one on one coaching in a compassionate, non-judgmental atmosphere. I use a strength-based approach to assist parents to become more self-aware and better attuned with their children so they can have better relationships and help their children overcome obstacles and thrive. With over thirty years experience working with hundreds of children of all ages and abilities and their parents, I have been honored to witness profound growth and change addressing a wide range of issues such as: emotion regulation, parent-child relationships, school refusal and trauma. I offer training in user friendly drama therapy and play therapy techniques that you can immediately use with your children. Because of my deep understanding of children, I can also help parents address their own issues of childhood trauma.
Group Therapy
Are your children feeling misunderstood, socially isolated and alone?
How I can help: Group work uses issue-oriented improvisational theater such as story, theater games, role play and performance in a fun and creative atmosphere. Focusing on group concerns, we create new possibilities for growth and change. I offer group therapy to both children and adolescents because it fosters new peer relationships in a supportive environment. Group work creates a sense of belonging and support. Together, participants can share thoughts and feelings and practice new life skills through the safe medium of role play and performance.
Families
Is your child having a problem with school, substance abuse, or an eating disorder? Has a major trauma or change impacted the entire family? Is there a sudden change in your family dynamics?
How I can help: Family therapy can be helpful to all family members on many different levels. Family therapy sessions can help:
Develop and maintain healthy boundaries
Facilitate cohesion and communication
Promote problem-solving by a better understanding of family dynamics
Build empathy and understanding
Reduce conflict within the family
Partnering
I welcome the opportunity to partner with psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and special education teachers in their treatment of individuals who would benefit from a combined therapeutic approach.
Fees & Insurance
Fees vary depending on frequency and length of visits. I have a limited number of income-based sliding scale spots.
I do not participate with insurance plans but will provide itemized bills. Some insurance companies may cover my therapy services under out-of-network reimbursement.
What People Are Saying
“I feel like you taught me to be more assertive. I learned to communicate when I am angry and frustrated and not to react in a negative way. I feel there is much more I have to learn, things that will make me a better person.”
— Denise, 15 years old
“My teenage son went through a period where he became verbally combative whenever his father and I reprimanded him. Instead of meeting fire with fire, my husband and I decided to use some of the methods we learned from you. Since then there have been few combative outbursts. I would like to thank you!”
— Martha T., Parent
“I’ve learned how to express myself and to not be afraid to show emotion. I learned how to be confident about myself and to not let anyone bring me down no matter the situation.”
— Jenny, 12 years old
“Diana’s work is transformative. She really knows how to connect with kids and help them to express themselves. And they have so much fun with her! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!”
— Julie A., Parent