My specialty is working with children, teens and their families. I use insight-oriented therapy coupled with cognitive-behavioral techniques and DBT. I tailor my counseling approach to fit each client's unique needs. * Experienced in individual, family, group and milieu therapy.* Experienced in supervision of counselors.• Instituted “Teen Appreciation Week” (T.A.W.) to highlight and acknowledge positive attributes and contributions of adolescents; successfully engaged participation of over sixty businesses and agencies in celebrating T.A.W., as well as three local governments and the State of Illinois in officially proclaiming the week annually.• Created a Teen Feedback Survey to research impact of teen centers on adolescent participants; implemented annually, compiled data, designed and presented reports on findings which revealed that teens were learning conflict resolution and social skills, along with other important life skills, through attending the teen centers.• Conceived and realized innovative programs for teens designed to enhance their development, understanding of self and others, creativity and problem-solving skills. Examples include an annual Community Art Project, “Health & Hygiene Week” and “Self-Esteem Days.”• Devised a “Staff Development Training,” engaging and encouraging staff in their professional development by designing and leading brainstorming, team-building and self-reflective exercises in a half-day meeting.• Developed a “Teens and Technology” seminar; presented to five separate groups of counselors, including one (“Bringing Parents into the Cyber Age”) at the National Youth Cyber Safety Conference in Dallas in 2012.• Achieved acknowledgement of exceptional clinical paperwork by the Clinical Director of Spectrum Youth & Family Services using my reports as samples with which to train other counselors.Specialties: • ADHD• Adolescent Development• Aggression and Behavioral Disorders• Conflict Resolution • Depression and Bipolar Disorder• Parent-Child Communication• Relationship Issues