ISSUES TREATED IN INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY THERAPY
Children, adolescents, and parents can struggle at different points in the life cycle, whether that be infancy, early childhood, adolescence, and/or emerging into adulthood. I work with families at various stages of their life cycle using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Structural-Strategic Family Therapy, Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, and/or EMDR. Families are the greatest support system for children, no matter what the age, so in addition to helping children develop tools to be successful, I utilize parents, who are the resources at home for children and adolescents, so that I can put myself out of a job. I'm only with the child or adolescent once a week, but the family is there the whole rest of the time.
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Initially, I like to meet with the child, adolescent, or young adult and his or her or their parents for the first session to get everyone's take on what is going on (although I understand this is sometimes not possible). The more (varied) sources of information help me more efficiently assess the difficulties, and develop a treatment plan. Meeting the family members in that initial session also helps me to know who the resources are. After developing a plan, I may meet with the child individually, with the parents alone, with the child and one or both parents, may include a sibling, and/or meet with the whole family. I work with children and adolescents to access what is the root of the problem, and help them with tools to address it. I work with them to learn how to turn to parents as resources for help and support, and support parents in being there in the way their child needs. I teach parents the techniques used in therapy, so that they can be reinforced at home, which helps create lasting change. This approach allows children and adolescents to have that safe place where they can talk to their therapist, and help support them in getting their needs met from their parents, without having to be dependent on the therapist in therapy that goes indefinitely.
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ISSUES I TREAT: |
Adolescents/Teens
Since 1998, I have worked with adolescents in numerous settings including private practice, schools, residential treatment programs, teen shelters, community clinics, and a wilderness program. My primary focus has been teens since entering the field, and I enjoy working with everyone from the quiet, depressed adolescent, to the out of control, running away, drugs and alcohol situation. Adolescence is a time of great change for children and families, and can be an important time period for parents to influence their child's values, and shape their relationships with others in the future. It is also a time of great angst with self consciousness, shifting importance to peers, questioning of one's beliefs and values, and feelings of pressure (or avoidance of pressure) to succeed in school for future success. I work with teenagers to help them overcome their difficulties, and help parents to develop the tools to help their kids, and get things back in control if they're out of control. We work together to help the kids be successful and be connected to parents so they can be there for them when they need them.
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Children
Although not my primary focus, I have worked with children since 1998 in various settlings such as an emergency children's shelter, a preschool, a community clinic, and in private practice. I see more children in my practice after having my own children, and having numerous requests from parents for treatment due to my areas of specialty (especially oppositional defiant disorder). Additionally, sometime couples I work with need help with parenting and we may even add a course of child therapy in addition to our couples therapy.
With children, parents are especially integral in the treatment. I see the therapists' role as helping to access the child's thoughts, feelings, and help them communicate this to parents. We use play, drawing, or other activities to elicit thoughts and feelings, and I teach parents how to use these techniques to continue the treatment at home. When anxiety is an issue, I am using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to externalize the anxiety and help the kids to battle against it so it stops ruining their fun, as well as help them access their super powers to be able to sit with anxiety, and to go towards the things they're afraid of, rather than running away from them (exposure therapy). In situations with ADHD and Oppositional Defiant Disorder, I teach parents techniques for helping with emotional escalations, and creating structures for success. The attachment based work helps kids turn to their parents during hard times (e.g., divorce, death, medical issues, trauma), so that they're not alone, leading to decreasing depression and anxiety. Together, I help children to overcome their difficulties, be more successful, and help families to be closer and happier. Early intervention is so important, and as a specialist in teenagers, let me tell you, addressing these issues early is a lot easier when the kids are little.
With children, parents are especially integral in the treatment. I see the therapists' role as helping to access the child's thoughts, feelings, and help them communicate this to parents. We use play, drawing, or other activities to elicit thoughts and feelings, and I teach parents how to use these techniques to continue the treatment at home. When anxiety is an issue, I am using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to externalize the anxiety and help the kids to battle against it so it stops ruining their fun, as well as help them access their super powers to be able to sit with anxiety, and to go towards the things they're afraid of, rather than running away from them (exposure therapy). In situations with ADHD and Oppositional Defiant Disorder, I teach parents techniques for helping with emotional escalations, and creating structures for success. The attachment based work helps kids turn to their parents during hard times (e.g., divorce, death, medical issues, trauma), so that they're not alone, leading to decreasing depression and anxiety. Together, I help children to overcome their difficulties, be more successful, and help families to be closer and happier. Early intervention is so important, and as a specialist in teenagers, let me tell you, addressing these issues early is a lot easier when the kids are little.
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Young Adults
Adolescence extends beyond the high school years as many young adults continue to be dependent on their parents for support whether in college, living at home, or trying to launch. When a young adult is struggle with mental health (e.g., depression, anxiety, bipolar) and/or substance abuse issues, parents can feel ill equipped. Even though they're over 18, I always like to meet with a young adult and their parent (especially if they are coming in at the behest of their parent), but also meet with young adults without any parent involvement, depending on what feels safest to them. Sometimes, young adults do not want their parents involved, but through the course of treatment, parents may be asked to join a session or so to support their changes. Many of the families I work with in this situation have a child struggling in college, one that is living at home and not moving forward in their life, or dealing with significant mental health problems such as depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, OCD, substance abuse/dependence, anxiety, and/or PTSD. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) are evidence based, effective treatments that can help them overcome their difficulties, and get their life back on track.
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To make an appointment for an assessment and/or discuss recommendations for treatment, call (415) 686-9544 or contact me. I have offices in San Francisco and Corte Madera and provide phone and/or web sessions for clients who can not come to the office.
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What Parents are Saying About Their Work with Dr. Sutton:
Dr. Sutton helped to restore stability in my home. He artfully supported me as a parent while not alienating my child, but building a positive relationship with both of us. I am grateful for the tools I learned that will benefit myself and all of my children. - M in San Jose We think our sessions with Dr. Sutton helped us skid to a stop before we reached the edge of the cliff. I feel very hopeful that we will be able to better work with our son. - B in Berkeley I can't thank Dr. Keith enough for giving my daughter and I the ability to talk with each other calmly. He really listens in a way that is non-judgemental and comes from a place of truly caring for the individual. - S in San Francisco |
Listen to Interviews with Dr. Sutton:
Wise Counsel Podcast Oppositional Defiant Disorder Childhood Matters 98.1 FM Helping Teens Cope with Stress Childhood Matters 98.1 FM Babyproofing Your Relationship KDOL TV Body Image and Eating Disorders KTVU's Bay Area People Embracing Your ADHD KGO 810 Bullying and Depression Part 1 Part 2 |
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please call (415) 686-9544 or click the contact now button to send me an email.