Services:
Psychotherapy
Depression/Anxiety
Learning Issues: Autism, ADHD
Trauma/Grief
Anger Management/Behavior
Life transitions
Relationship Issues
Intimacy/Communication
Stress Management
Advocacy-Special Education
Review of Psychological, Achievement and Cognitive Testing
Review of IEP and student records
Attendance at IEP meetings and MDR meetings
Referral to Attorneys working with Special Education cases
Evaluations
Immigration Evaluations
Psychological Testing
Trauma in Children and Teens
Trauma is MORE than an EVENT!
Events such as an accident, crime, or natural disaster can cause trauma or trigger traumatic memories.
Trauma is an EXPERIENCE!
A traumatic event is an experience of physical sensations and psychological disruptions. The brain assigns meaning to the experience and labels the memory accordingly. This process is unique to every person, which is why an event may be traumatic to one person, but not to another.
Trauma has an EFFECT!
Experiencing a traumatic event has adverse effects on the mind and body. These biological reactions may occur immediately or may be delayed, and the duration may be short term or long term. The individual may not recognize the connection between the traumatic event and the effects, but the effects are a critical component of the trauma.
It can be difficult to cope with or out of our control, and can have lasting adverse effects on a person's mental, physical, emotional, social, or spiritual well-being.
What Families and Caregivers Can Do to Help
Not all children experience child traumatic stress after experiencing a traumatic event, but those who do can recover. With proper support, many children are able to adapt to and overcome such experiences.
Treatment for Child Traumatic Stress
Effective treatments like trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapies are available. There are a number of evidence-based and promising practices to address child traumatic stress.
Each child’s treatment depends on the nature, timing, and amount of exposure to a trauma.
Signs of Child Traumatic Stress: The signs of traumatic stress are different in each child. Young children react differently than older children.
Preschool Children
Fearing separation from parents or caregivers
Crying and/or screaming a lot
Eating poorly and losing weight
Having nightmares
Elementary School Children
Becoming anxious or fearful
Feeling guilt or shame
Having a hard time concentrating
Having difficulty sleeping
Middle and High School Children
Feeling depressed or alone
Developing eating disorders and self-harming behaviors
Beginning to abuse alcohol or drugs
Becoming sexually active
For some children, these reactions can interfere with daily life and their ability to function and interact with others.
Impact of Child Traumatic Stress
The impact of child traumatic stress can last well beyond childhood. In fact, research shows that child trauma survivors are more likely to have:
Learning problems, including lower grades and more suspensions and expulsions
Increased use of health services, including mental health services
Increased involvement with the child welfare and juvenile justice systems
Long term health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease
Trauma is a risk factor for nearly all behavioral health and substance use disorders.
Depression/Anxiety in Children & Teens
Depression does not only affect adults. Children and young people can get depressed too. It's normal for kids to feel sad, act grouchy, or be in a bad mood at times. But when a sad or bad mood lasts for weeks or longer, and when there are other changes in a child's behavior, it might be depression.
What Causes Child Depression?
Different things can lead to depression. There is no single cause. Some children have genes that make them more sensitive to depression. They may have other family members who have been depressed.
Some children go through stressful things. Some have faced loss, trauma, or hardships. Some go through serious health conditions. These things can lead to sadness or grief — and sometimes to depression.
How Can I Tell if My Child Is Depressed?
If a child is depressed, parents may notice some of these signs:
Sad or bad mood. A child may seem sad, lonely, unhappy, or grouchy. It can last weeks or months. A child may cry more easily. They may have more tantrums than before.
Being self-critical. Kids going through depression may complain a lot. They may say self-critical things like, "I can't do anything right." "I don't have any friends." "I can't do this." "It's too hard for me."
Lack of energy and effort. Depression can drain a child's energy. They might put less effort into school than before. Even doing little tasks can feel like too much effort. Kids may seem tired, give up easily, or not try.
Not enjoying things. Kids don't have as much fun with friends or enjoy playing like before. They may not feel like doing things they used to enjoy.
Sleep and eating changes. Kids may not sleep well or seem tired even if they get enough sleep. Some may not feel like eating. Others may overeat.
Aches and pains. Some children may have stomach aches or other pains. Some miss school days because of not feeling well, even though they aren't sick.
Anxiety does not only affect adults. Children and young people can get worried and anxious too. Children can feel anxious about different things at different ages. Many of these worries are a normal part of growing up.
From the age of around 6 months to 3 years it's very common for young children to have separation anxiety. They may become clingy and cry when separated from their parents or carers. This is a normal stage in a child's development and should stop at around age 2 to 3.
It's also common for preschool-age children to develop specific fears or phobias. Common fears in early childhood include animals, insects, storms, heights, water, blood and the dark. These fears usually go away gradually on their own.
There may also be other times in a child's life when they feel anxious. For example, many children feel anxious when going to a new school or before tests and exams. Some children feel shy in social situations and may need support with this.
Starting secondary school can also be difficult. The school is bigger, your child has to make new friends and is responsible for managing their day.
When is anxiety a problem for children?
Anxiety becomes a problem for children when it starts to get in the way of their everyday life.
If you go into any school at exam time, all the children will be anxious, but some may be so anxious that they do not manage to get to school that morning.
Anxiety can start to cause problems for your child when:
it’s very strong, or getting worse, and does not go away
it gets in the way of daily activities, stopping your child doing things they enjoy
Severe anxiety like this can harm children's mental and emotional wellbeing, affecting their self-esteem and confidence. They may become withdrawn and go to great lengths to avoid things or situations that make them feel anxious.
What are the signs of anxiety in children?
When young children feel anxious, they cannot always understand or express what they are feeling. You may notice that they:
become irritable, tearful or clingy
have difficulty sleeping
wake in the night
start wetting the bed
have bad dreams
often have stomach aches or headaches
In older children you may notice that they:
lack confidence to try new things or seem unable to face simple, everyday challenges
find it hard to concentrate
have problems with sleeping or eating
have angry outbursts
have a lot of negative thoughts, or keep thinking that bad things are going to happen
start avoiding everyday activities, such as seeing friends, going out in public or going to school
Whatever you do. Do with all your heart!
Whatever you do. Do with all your heart!
Adult Relationship Counseling
It can help you understand yourself and others better. It can help you develop skills to have healthier interactions. It offers tools and guidance.
It can't change a person or a relationship.
You have to be ready to put in the effort and commitment.
It can address:
Communication issues including knowing how to fight
Infidelity, abuse, addiction concerns and intimacy
Stressful events that strain the relationship & make decisions
Ways to build a healthier interactions and create boundaries
It is not only for married couples, couples who are in crisis, separated or thinking about divorce. It can also help guide a relationship and giving you a better understanding on how your roles may fit within your relationship unit. The therapist will help you both to open up, highlighting the strengths in your relationship alongside what might be causing you distress.
It can address topics:
Parenting styles, raising children and discipline
Family dynamics and family roles
Religion or faith based practices within the unit
Getting to know each other-interactions
Intimacy & love languages
Empty Nesters
Falling Back in Love with your partner
It is important to remember that this is a gradual process; it will take time for you both to open up fully and effort will be required to ensure that the sessions are effective. Patience and perseverance are key requirements for making sure that couples therapy is effective and useful.
Children and Teens Relationship Counseling
Anger and Frustrations are normal and useful emotions. It can tell children when things are not fair or right. They can become a problem if a child's physical behavior becomes out of control. It can lead to relationship issues, connecting or relating to others, self-esteem, commitment issues later in life, unbalanced lifestyle, risk of substance abuse, juvenile delinquency and even suicide.
Why is your child feeling such intense emotions?
There are lots of reasons why your child may seem more angry, upset or frustrated than other children, including:
seeing other family members arguing or being angry with each other
friendship problems
being bullied – Anti-Bullying Alliance has information on bullying
struggling with schoolwork or exams
feeling very stressed, anxious or fearful about something
coping with hormone changes during puberty
It may not be obvious to you or your child why they're feeling upset, frustrated or angry. If that's the case, it's important to have a therapist or psychologist help them work out what might be causing their emotions.
Faith Based Practices
In session, you are given the opportunity to use therapy tools that strengthen your faith. God set the course of our lives so that we would not do life alone. You are also given the opportunity to use and faith based practices such as prayer, devotionals, Bible and scriptures. You can have JESUS and a THERAPIST!
Psalms 139:23-24
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Mrs. Villarreal grew up in the Christian ministry to parents whom are Pastors. She has taken many roles in her church. She has been youth pastor, praise and worship leader, Sunday school teacher to all age groups, premarital and marriage counseling, children’s activity coordinator and Bible study leader among other responsibilities at the church. She continues to grow in her faith and brings with her a wealth of knowledge as well as the ability to guide others in faith. She firmly believes that God has given us tools to live a better life according to his word. She uses faith based practices with therapeutic tools to help clients change their thoughts and emotions to live a better life.
James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.