Julia G Coffey

While play is the language of childhood, play and the expressive arts may be used to heal the hearts of children and their families when love is not enough. I am a licensed clinical social worker who also has an M.A. in psychology with a specialty in child development and is a registered play therapist in private practice. I am recognized as a specialist working with children and their families on post adoption issues, attachment, trauma and grief and its resolution. In addition, I promote positive coping skills and symptom reduction where ADHD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder or post traumatic stress occurs. In addition to my work with children, I also works with parents who report benefitting from the development of constructive parenting skills. When working with children and their families, I work to form a collaborative partnership with parents recognizing that they are the experts in their households. While I have a therapeutic playroom that I use with children, I also have a space in which adults feel comfortable to do their work. Finally, I am trained in the use of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) which is helpful in reducing the effects of trauma, and in mindfulness practices.