As the world has grown smaller with access to so much instant information, children and families are feeling overwhelmed. As families are trying to cope from this place of overwhelm, their relationships and connections are suffering. Childhood trauma can also play a major part in the way we shape our families. Recognizing and understanding generational trauma is one of the first steps in creating your family differently. Sometimes even adults need help to help their children. I have 35 years of experience helping children and families cope with all that life can throw at them. I understand life is complicated and rarely easy. I will offer a safe place to learn about yourself from a strength-based perspective. I have worked with people of all ages from children to older adults. I have worked with people with ADHD, depression, anxiety, school-related issues, divorce, and improving family relationships. I must say I am straightforward and direct. I rarely believe that a child's problem is just the child's problem. The child's problem is a family problem and parents are responsible for their children.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Our first session will consist of you telling me about what prompted you to seek therapy a this time. I will also be interested in what you have encountered along the way. As cliche’ as it sounds, our childhood really does have a huge impact on who we become. The Adverse Childhood Experience research is fascinating in confirming that some of our paths were set long before we had any control. I believe putting that into perspective is hugely helpful. Please know this is your treatment and we will work on the issues you identify.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Healthy connections are so important. If you need support in improving the connections in your family with your parents, your children, your spouse, or even just with yourself, please reach out to me. I know I can help.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I will see elementary age children on up to adults Parents must be willing to be involved with children’s treatment.
About Emily A. Heineke
Licensed in
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use this treatment method by helping people understand the fundamental connection between what they think, how they impact or create their feelings, and how their feelings drive their choices. This interconnection is very important in feeling better.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
This treatment method is important in developing skills for emotional regulation for those people who are driven more by emotions which sometimes gets them in trouble. Being able to find balance in our thinking and feeling is an important skill to master.
EMDR
I utilize EMDR on a continuum beginning with positive resourcing for relaxation, strengthening a feeling of safety & well-being to resolving a traumatic episode where a person is feeling stuck and can’t move an experience to the past. Bilateral stimulation helps with relaxation and focus.
Motivational Interviewing
I find people make changes quicker if they can find their own reasons for changing. Motivational interviewing is a method of therapy that facilitates a person finding those reasons to change. The relationship is much more of a collaboration between the client and me.
Strength-Based
My experience has taught me that people are amazing considering what they have survived throughout their lives. Many of these people assess themselves very harshly when they should be celebrating how awesome they are for surviving and working to be better than what they were given. They recognize they have a choice and a chance to do something different which is a strength. This is how I use this approach.