How is this different from therapy?

Spark Teens is focused on helping you help your teen. My role is to provide support and encouragement as you and your teen implement new strategies introduced during our work together. While my background as a social worker and counselor, and my continuing education in the field of clinical social work provide me with an expertise in this area, YOU are the expert on your child. We will work as a team to find the solutions that work for you and for them. 

In therapy, the client typically leads, and the focus often involves exploring past challenges impacting the present. In contrast, my approach is solution-oriented. While I assist in identifying challenges, my emphasis is on offering concrete tips and guidance rather than delving into past analysis or facilitating self-realizations. At Spark Teens, I do not provide therapy. However, if during our conversations I feel that you or your teen would benefit from therapy, I can refer you to a qualified mental health provider in your area. If you are currently working with a therapist, I am happy to support that relationship and will coordinate care as requested. 

How and why is the MSW background important?

As a licensed social worker, I have extensive knowledge of human behavior and development, as well as social, cultural and economic institutions and the ways in which they interact. With a background in working with youth and families within the public school and foster care systems, I am well-equipped to deliver care that is both solution-focused and personalized.Social workers are known for their high degree of compassion and empathy, driven by a genuine passion for helping others. My skill set includes robust interpersonal and problem-solving abilities, as well as attentive listening and strong organizational skills. This combination of knowledge and experience enables me to provide effective, individualized support to teens and their families as they navigate challenges and strive for positive outcomes.

What experience do you have working with teens?

I bring nine years of experience as a high school social worker with the NYC Department of Education to my practice. During my tenure, I played a crucial role in providing comprehensive support to adolescents. This included offering individual and group counseling, mandated counseling as per Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for those facing learning and emotional challenges, crisis intervention, at-risk counseling, and social-emotional support.

In addition to my role in education, I served as a behavioral therapist for two years within the foster care system. During this time, I provided individual therapy to individuals ranging from ages 3 to 21. This diverse background equips me with a rich understanding of various aspects of counseling and therapy, allowing me to offer well-rounded support to teens and their families.

Describe how you will work with my teen.

My approach to working with teens is simple. Listening is the foundation of our relationship and initiates our journey together. Oftentimes, teens find themselves feeling unheard, misunderstood, and at odds with the world around them. My commitment is to ensure they feel seen, heard, and understood. Our focus will center on the challenges that brought them to seek support, and together, we will come up effective strategies to address and overcome these challenges.