Laural Osterhus
I help kids, including very young kids, manage intense feelings. I reawaken in parents the irreverent fun and joy in play, all the while improving communication and bonding with your child. As your interaction with your son or daughter enhances, we will increasingly focus on the problem behaviors that are disrupting your emotional quality of life. I coach using clear communication strategies, and modeling consistent follow-through on age appropriate expectations. You will get to enjoy your child again and prevent tantrums from becoming lifelong patterns of reactivity that interfere with their relationships and accomplishments.
First session
Initial intake is best with parents only for children under 12 and even sometimes up until 18. This allows us to review your concerns and mental health history and then schedule my first session to be in person at my office if at all possible so that I can meet your child and interact with them through play or talking depending on their age, complete a mental status exam, learn about their thoughts and feelings, and how they feel about coming to therapy. Our third session is generally, our first meeting together with you and your child, in which we will then review goals and develop a treatment plan.
Strengths
Younger children, especially using parent children interaction therapy methods for behavioral management, is more directive. Almost every week your child or teen will leave my office with a new skill they are typically to practice throughout the week. However, I am realistic about follow through and always come back to mining for a child or parents own best hopes for a solution as being the best solution and I am more of a coach helping you achieve this.
Ideal clients
I work both both typical and neurodivergent children, including very young children, as well as teens. In younger children with behavior problems full parent involvement is a must in order to gain the results you want to achieve. As children become older, around 7-12, a hybrid of both individual and parent/child sessions is optimal for success as it becomes more about teaching age appropriate skills , having parents know the skills in order for them to be reinforced as well as learning strategies of behavioral intervention that reinforce wanted behavior in your child's environment. After 12, as your child becomes older it becomes increasingly more of an individual session with kids wanting differentiation and privacy, although, until your child is 18 years old , I find monthly sessions to still be optimal with parents.
Treatment methods
Parent-Child Interaction (PCIT)
I have specialized training in PCIT and am completing my hours for certification. I have been working with this age group supporting families dealing with emotional and behavioral issues for over 20 years.
Location
Virtual sessions
In-person sessions134 S Euclid Ave, Westfield, NJ 07090, 2nd floor
Identifies as
White
Woman
Top specialties
Anger Management
Child or Adolescent
Parenting
Other specialties
ADHD
Autism
Family Therapy
Serves
Children (6 to 12)
Family Conflict
Teenagers (13 to 17)
Doesn't specialize in
Addiction
Bipolar Disorder
Chronic Illness
Couples Counseling
Couples Counseling
Licensed in
New JerseyLicense 44SC05328800