Psychotherapy
In children and adolescents, playing, drawing, building, and pretending, as well as talking, are important ways of sharing feelings and resolving problems.
Psychotherapy helps children and adolescents in a variety of ways. They receive emotional support, resolve conflicts with people, understand feelings and problems, and try out new solutions to old problems. Goals for therapy may be specific (change in behavior, improved relations with friends or family), or more general (less anxiety, better self-esteem). The length of psychotherapy depends on the complexity and severity of problems.
Psychotherapy is often used in combination with other treatments (i.e., medication, behavior management, or work with the school). The relationship that develops between me and the patient is very important. The child or adolescent must feel comfortable, safe and understood. This type of trusting environment makes it much easier for the child to express his/her thoughts and feelings and to use the therapy in a helpful way.
Social Communication Skills Training
The purpose of Social Communication Skills Training is to teach social skills and promote use of these skills at home and in school. The program was developed through the utilization of current research based information, as well as my experience working directly with children who exhibit social thinking and social communication deficits.
Because a child’s needs change developmentally over time, groups are matched for age as well as functional ability. The group addresses a range of skills, from easily learned skills (i.e., Listening, Asking for Help, Ignoring) to school-related skills (i.e., Following Directions, Trying When It’s Hard, Interrupting). These groups also encourage positive peer interaction (i.e., Sharing, Waiting Your Turn, Asking Someone to Play, etc.).
If interested in these services please contact Dr. Jocelyn Francisco at
1451 Quail Street, Suite 105
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Phone: (949) 891-2574
Fax: (888) 755-4389
