Therapeutic Approaches Archives - Sensory Stepping Stones

Does your child need therapy?

October 3, 2022Parenting, Therapeutic Approaches, Trauma and Stress

Anxiety, depression, trauma, school avoidance, difficulties with emotion regulation, low self-esteem, social anxiety, anger management…kids and teens are dealing with so much today, especially as they begin to navigate how to find a return to normalcy as we emerge from a worldwide pandemic and the effects that “new normal” had on all of us.

If your child is dealing with any mental health challenge, or just having a tough time navigating through their days, you may have thought about finding a therapist, but may not have known where to start.

The word ‘psychotherapy’ can sound intimidating. If you have never gone to therapy before, the idea of sitting on that infamous couch and revealing your innermost thoughts to a stranger may sound embarrassing. You may question whether your child even need to see a therapist at all

But the fact is, engaging in therapy with the right provider can improve your quality of life. According to the American Psychological Association, about 75% of people who enter psychotherapy say they benefit from it, and research shows they’re better able to function in their day-to-day activities.

Therapy is not just for young people facing a mental health diagnosis. Regular therapy sessions can be beneficial for pretty much everyone dealing with life! Everyday stresses, social anxiety, school situations, family conflicts…a well trained and caring therapist can help your child/teen successfully get through whatever roadblocks they may encounter in everyday life.

We are proud to offer Psychotherapy sessions at Sensory Stepping Stones! We focus on early intervention of the problem and providing trauma-informed treatment to assist with areas such as self-awareness & self-esteem, coping strategies, emotion regulation skills for stress, anger, anxiety, and depression and building social supports and communication skills. Therapy is a game changer!

An extra benefit of working with a therapist here at Sensory Stepping Stones is that we have a professional working relationship with many schools and specialists. We DO NOT require a referral! Parents, guardians, or the client themselves (18 +) may call our office to schedule an appointment and discuss their needs.

Please call 914-244-4101 or click the link for a consultation zoom call to set up a consultation appointment. We look forward to chatting with you and helping your child!

“Where words fail, music speaks” -Hans Christian Andersen

September 27, 2022Parenting, Therapeutic Approaches

Music is a language we can all communicate in, even before we have the ability to speak! When I think about all of the music that we surround our infants and toddlers with, I realize it’s literally everywhere! Whether it’s a mom humming a lullaby before bedtime or a dad having a dance party in the kitchen meant to soothe a fussing toddler, music is one of the greatest gifts and tools of parenting!

As our babies gets older, sharing music with others to learn and play is a great opportunity to grow. This music therapy group session will provide opportunities for singing and playing instruments with friends while exploring different topics and themes each week! We will be using our voice and instruments to increase communication, movement, socialization, and self-expression.

What is Music Therapy? Music Therapy is an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals.Through musical involvement in the therapeutic context, clients’ abilities are strengthened and transferred to other areas of their lives. Music therapy also provides avenues for communication that can be helpful to those who find it difficult to express themselves in words. Research in music therapy supports its effectiveness in many areas such as: overall physical rehabilitation and facilitating movement, increasing people’s motivation to become engaged in their treatment, providing emotional support for clients and their families, and providing an outlet for expression of feelings

Come join board certified music therapist, Ashley Barton of Duet Music Therapy as we explore music and movement for young ones, ages 1-2 and 3-5! Classes kick off October 17th and are filling up fast. Register for either class here – Music Class Registration

Art and Mental Health for Children

June 21, 2021Parenting, Therapeutic Approaches

When I was a child in school, I was so excited to go to art class. Art class allowed me to rest my mind because I had the chance to play with paper-Mache and paint.
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The Benefits of Yoga for Children and Teens

June 21, 2021Parenting, Therapeutic Approaches, Yoga

Yoga is beneficial not only for adults but has proven to be just as helpful to children and teens. It can make a positive impact on children mentally and physically. Through yoga, children can develop essential skills that are needed for everyday life. Here are seven impactful benefits that yoga can have on a child.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and How Light Therapy Helps

November 25, 2020Seasonal Affective Disorder, Therapeutic Approaches, Trauma and Stress, Visual Processing

If you are like me, the end of fall/beginning of winter marks the time when the skies get a little darker and the temps a little colder, and the desire to jump out of bed, change out of my comfortable athleisurewear and leave my warm home to do anything diminishes. However, the weather is not the only thing that seems to change and impact my motivation at this time of the year.

The overall experience of colder and longer darkened days can have quite an impact on our moods and behaviors as well, which many refer to as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). So, it is no wonder that as we are going into the winter months with a pandemic that is still affecting the majority of our country and the rules to maintain social distance with family and friends continue that we may be hearing of many more people experiencing the symptoms associated with SAD.
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What Is Light Therapy and How Can It Help?

August 18, 2020Therapeutic Approaches, Visual Processing

There is a lot of buzz and talk lately about light therapy and the effects that it can have one a person. It is also a frequent topic of questioning that I get when people walk by our therapy rooms and look in inquisitively. They see our syntonic lights and question how it could help them or their children. Other times I have someone come in for a consult or visit to the clinic and just come out and ask, “What is this light therapy program I keep hearing about?”

When I was a child in school, I was so excited to go to art class. Art class allowed me to rest my mind because I had the chance to play with paper-Mache and paint. Read More

When I was a child in school, I was so excited to go to art class. Art class allowed me to rest my mind because I had the chance to play with paper-Mache and paint.
Read More