Welcome! To our series of blog post in which I, Yvette E. McDonald, LCSW-QS have the pleasure of interviewing one of our therapist here at Traveling Light Counseling. In our series of couch interviews the therapist will be offering us a glimpse into their speciality by answering questions about topics relevant to their field and imparting a few tips, ideas, and suggestions on ways to travel lighter.
As a disclaimer these interviews are by no means a substitution for therapy and if in need of more specialized, personalized and/or intense help please find a therapist that would best fit your situation.
Here with me today is Jaimie Conway, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who works with children of all ages, that present or struggle with ASD, Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) and other mental and behavioral issues such as ADHD, ODD, depression and anxiety. Her style involves teaching you how to look at a situation or behavior and apply a variety of different skills to decrease sadness or nervousness and handle things/situations/people with confidence. She provides her services through various channels including individual and group counseling. She utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy as well as client centered to allow more than “a quick fix” but a long lasting change that allows clients to accomplish their goals on their own time.
So, today's interview revolves around how Jaimie shows up with children, teens and college students:
Question: What drew you to work with children, teens and young adults out of all populations?
Answer:
I love working with children because of my passion to help them feel heard, understood and letting them know they are not alone. I have found that there are a lot of children that feel like their parents don’t take them seriously or listen to them in a positive way. So, I love being that person that children, teens and college students can turn to in order to talk things through, gain perspective and find someone to confide in. I find children/teens and college students can absorb a lot of positive skills during these key development times, that they can apply into their adulthood to make the transition times less troublesome.
Question: What is your role with college students?
Answer:
I assist college students in developing life and coping skills that they may not have learned growing up. I use life's experiences such as difficulty with academics and transitioning as opportunities to develop coping skills and other important skills that will propel them in life. Life skills are a huge part of growing up and “leaving the nest” and sometimes that can be scary. This is where I come in, with helping them navigate the most comfortable path.
Question: How long do children/teens stay in therapy with you.
Answer:
There's no real easy answer with this as each child I see is a unique person with unique needs which makes it difficult to put a time frame to the process. Not to mention the child's presenting concern and several other factors effect time. However, children usually stay in therapy with me long term. I do not rush children out of therapy. I make sure they are ready and have developed the appropriate tools to apply to situations when I cannot be there. Once children are able to do that, I do a “transition” for them and lessen therapy to make sure they can navigate and respond to situations appropriately.
Question: Do you offer Telehealth for children?
Answer:
I do offer Telehealth for children. My style involves creative interventions such as online games or papers that I am able to email to parents so we are able to do the activities together. I think that having an interactive session via Telehealth is important to keep the child engaged.
Question: What if Telehealth isn't the right fit for my child?
Answer:
No worries. That happens from time to time for various reasons. If Telehealth isn’t the right fit for your child/teen, I am able to do in person visits at the office to allow for a better connection between client and counselor.
What a great interview with Jaimie. I appreciate her taking the time and both explaining her process and answering my question's today, in order that parents can get a small sample of who she is and how she shows up with children/teens and young adults. She definitely has a passion for working with children and you can hear that as she speaks about her experiences of coming alongside children in the challenging journey of growing up in today's culture. Children growing up in today's culture is like none other. Being a kid has surely changed in the past 20 years as technology infiltrates our culture on a daily basis effecting their communication, interactions and mental health. Children's personal responsibilities have changed as well making it more difficult for them to transition into adulthood. In addition, the family dynamics has shifted resulting in less rituals of connection and more conflict and disconnection. Children today are hurting and are in need of a safe place and person to unpack the heaviness of the everyday and learn, practice and implement skills to propel them into a future in which they can be their best selves in their relationships, work environment, family life and the various roles they will take on as they journey through life.
If you feel like Jaimie will be a good travel companion for your child's journey. She offers a low cost 30-minute consultation. During this time she will talk with you about your current stressors, you will get any important questions answered, get a better idea of who she is and how she can help your child, teen or college student.
So, what are you waiting for?
Schedule a time to speak to her at 772-361-8448 or simply book your consultation online now.
Thanks Jaimie!
Yvette E. McDonald is the owner and counselor at Traveling Light Counseling, a practice for individuals, couples and families helping them discover the person/couple they were always meant to be, as they become the best version of self in their roles and relationships in the Port Saint Lucie and Martin County area.