Marcia Beauchamp

I believe that the most important factor for positive change in therapy is the relationship I formulate with my clients. I practice relationship-focused therapy from an attachment, identity, and developmental view, utilizing several modalities and therapies, such as EMDR, Memory Reconsolidation/Coherence Therapy, Somatic, Mindfulness, Sand Tray, and Play Therapy.

I work with women and children who have experienced trauma or PTSD, whether from a one-time event, or longer term, such as domestic violence, childhood abuse or neglect, and with foster care and adoption, which are intrinsically connected to loss. I also work with children who are struggling with home or classroom behavior, ADHD symptoms, or sensory integration issues.

I help to clarify the developmental impact of trauma on the danger response system, attachment, self-regulation, and competency. Together, I explore with clients “what happened” that led to the current situation, then help to formulate a plan to aid healing and improve function. For individuals, I help them find their own place of understanding and safety beyond the trauma. For parent and child, I facilitate attachment through attunement, attentiveness, emotion control, consistency, and routines and rituals.

I help parents to understand and deal with extreme behaviors, such as lying, stealing, food-hoarding, self-mutilation, and aggression, working together to determine what is already working, and to set, prioritize, and realize goals. I help parents to develop communication tools, and positive, respectful discipline techniques that increase follow through, responsibility, and respect, and decrease whining, attitude, power struggles, sibling conflicts, and hassles with daily routines.

In addition to working in a private, mental health agency with many children, families of young children, and women, I worked several years at a foster and adoption agency, and at an agency providing foster care, education, and case management for migrant children. I also raised 6 children, including three that I fostered and adopted as older children, one of whom has Special Needs.