Therapeutic Approach
Playful Therapies
Playful Therapies offers a variety of supportive, strength based, affordable, and evidence based interventions to strengthen relationships, improve quality of life, and replace challenging behaviors with acceptable ones across the life span. All strategies are customized for the client/family and chosen for their ability to best empower that individual/family unit in their relationships with family, peers, school/work, and self. Specialized interventions include Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT, CBT, DBT), Dyadic Work/Infant Mental Health, Filial Therapy, and various styles of Play Therapy. Parenting Support and Groupwork are a large part of therapy as appropriate, and Playful Therapies is certified to provide Infant Massage and Happiest Baby/Toddler on the Block groups specifically.
Patricia Lomando, LCSW, RPT-S, has been working with children and families for over 15 years. Experience has run across a multitude of environments, such as groups in adolescent detention centers, toddlers in daycares, family work in the home, trauma work in community centers, and the development of behavior systems for schools. Further specializations have targeted dyadic work between mother and infant as well as Play Therapy across all ages (e.g. children, teens, adults). Client centered play therapy, behavioral play therapy, developmental play therapy, sandtray work, storytelling through various media, and the inclusion of parents in the play therapy process are all areas of specialty that are utilized in sessions as warranted.
Services
Consultation: The therapeutic relationship is a “relationship” as important as any other. The consultation is a way of meeting to discuss current concerns and to establish comfort level prior to committing to an evaluation. Focus is on that which currently impacts quality of living, versus history gathering. Any questions about approach and options for therapeutic planning can be discussed. Parents/Caregivers can share perception of a child’s specific needs and will walk away with “therapy homework/interventions” to implement until evaluation is scheduled if they decide to continue and/or referral sources to other community resources if indicated.
Evaluation: A two hour session that addresses client history and the impact of various life events on current life skills. It is scheduled prior to the first therapy session and assists with the development of a therapeutic protocol for sessions (e.g. frequency, duration, intervention style, target concerns).
Therapy for individuals, families, couples, and/or caregivers:
Groupwork: Groups are offered for caregivers, professionals, and children. A minimum of four participants is required. Topics can be initiated by clients or chosen from therapist recommendations (e.g. CPRT is a 10 week group that teaches parents how to use basic play therapy with their children to open communication and strengthen family bonds).
Supervision: Social Work supervision and Play Therapy supervision are both offered for internship, licensing, or RPT credit. Supervision can be offered in either an individual or group format as desired. Please contact for any additional details
Our Therapy
Depression & Anxiety
Depression, fear, and anxiety are some of the most common and uncomfortable emotions that we can experience at some point in our lives. Through counseling and treatment, we are able to help you recover motivation, perspective, and joy that you once had in your life.
Trauma & PTSD
Many individuals can experience symptoms associated with painful and traumatic circumstances. Anxiety, fear, and hopelessness are a few emotions that can linger post traumatic events. We can help you overcome these symptoms and guide you through the process of grief and healing.
Relationships
Relationship counseling can be beneficial to couples who are looking to strengthen their emotional connection, in all stages of their relationship. Therapy sessions are held with both couples and is a supportive place to discuss issues and solutions to better strengthen your relationship.