RAFFAELLA CATTANEO, MA, MEd
- Psychotherapist -
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - LMFT #116976
Welcome!
Specializing in Child and Family Therapy, Individual Psychotherapy,
Life Transitions, Teachers Counseling
Child Therapy
I have been working with children for the past 23 years. I look at children from a holistic perspective. I am interested in understanding all the dimensions in which children can grow and live a healthy and happy life to reach their full potential.
I explore the social, emotional, educational, physical, and environmental dimensions of a child. I support children in becoming competent, resilient, capable, confident, and self-assured.
Children learn to be strong and independent from knowing they can count on loving and secure relationships with parents or a key person. I work closely with their family or parent and together we collaborate in providing a consistent system that focuses on boundaries, safety, respect, responsibility, and creativity. I also work with children who have behavior problems at home or at school and who are struggling with ADHD.
I use play therapy, art therapy, sand tray therapy, and talk therapy with children.
Family Therapy
Family Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on the interactions between family members. The goal is to improve patterns of behavior in the unit rather than in just one family member. Small changes and adjustments for example may result in a child behaving better at home and at school, or it may strengthen the parental unit which leads to better communication and clearer boundaries and expectations within the family.
Let me assist you in creating a more balanced family life and more positive interactions amongst family members. If you bring your child to psychotherapy I will have individual sessions with your child and then invite the family or the parent to participate in some sessions together as well.
If you trust this process, you can rest in confidence that the outcome of this type of therapy is long lasting and positive for everyone in the family unit.
Individual Psychotherapy
You can be the agent of change to improve the quality of your life. You don't have to do it alone and you have found a platform of support for your needed and wanted change.
"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness, concerning all acts of initiative and creation. There is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sort of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision." - Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
Psychotherapy is a commitment to change. It can start today.
Life Transitions
Change is inevitable in the course of one's life. It could be a change in your life or a change in someone else's life that affects you profoundly. Whether a change has been planned or unforeseen, we all need coping strategies to face the challenges that transitions bring to our existence. Change in career, loss of a loved one, phases of life, aging, health issues, new born, marriage, divorce, empty nest, beginning of a new relationship or end of an old one, moving, buying a home, starting college or graduating, living together, etc. are all part of life transitions.
As a psychotherapist, my goal is to assist you in exploring, understanding, and cope with the shifts of life. Let me support you in adapting to the new changes, and finding together resources for coping and constructing the meaning for your new life experience.
Teachers Counseling
Teachers and educators are often times feeling overwhelmed and exhausted due to the ongoing pressure and expectations that come with the job. Many teachers report very high daily stress that when prolonged, may start to affect the quality of their daily life at work and at home.
It is important for a teacher to create the necessary space to acknowledge and to respond to these symptoms which, if neglected, might lead to burn out, anxiety, depression, and addiction.
Let me assist you in creating a healthy plan for yourself. You don't have to do this alone and educators need emotional support too. You have found someone who can listen to your challenges, who deeply understands the ins and outs of the job, and who will offer you complete confidentiality in a safe setting.