Dr. Matt 

     It’s not typical for a child and/or an adolescent to present to treatment the same way an adult might; an anxious or depressed child/adolescent appears differently than an anxious or depressed adult. Quite often, children and adolescents may act out their anxiety/depression in either an angry, passive, or withdrawn way. Therefore, it is not reasonable to expect that children and adolescents would react well to the same type of treatment as adults do.

 

     First and foremost, Dr. Matt creates a relaxed atmosphere for children and adolescents without the appearance of a highly clinical setting. Since children, and especially adolescents, have a natural disdain for adults whom they consider to be less than genuine, Dr. Matt presents himself to the therapeutic process as a direct, ‘what you see is what you get individual. While maintaining appropriate boundaries, patients have an opportunity to connect to an adult in their life who validates their experiences and works with them to correct and improve their life conditions. This is done either through play utilizing current technologies that are dominant in their world and/or leaving the office and simply going for a walk together. Sometimes, a simple cup of hot chocolate or shooting some baskets at the basketball court can be highly effective therapeutic tools!