My Specialized Areas of Practice:

Identity Development using Jungian Archetypes — Part of the power of emotional healing comes from within, but many of us struggle with understanding ourselves, and become confused when our identity seems to be in conflict with itself. By drawing out the different aspects of identity in therapy, I help clients understand themselves and chart their own unique course to a better life.  My work in identity development comes from a number of schools of therapy including the models developed by C. G. Jung, Carol S. Pearson, Richard C. Schwartz, and Jay Earley.

Play Therapy Using Art, Dramatic Play, and Archetypes — I use several methods to help children who are struggling emotionally and behaviorally. In the play room at my office, children are able to use tools such as painting, drawing, dramatic play, and reflecting on child-made drawings of Jungian archetypes in order to increase self-awareness, improve mood and behavior, and relate better to parents, teachers, caregivers, and peers. All play therapy includes a component of parent consultation and education and requires that families participate actively in helping their child achieve therapy goals.

Cognitive Approaches and Behavioral Training — From teaching on how to do journaling, to coaching on using deep breathing for anxiety and depression, to helping you learn how to “boss back” to your obsessive or anxious thoughts, I am skilled in helping you develop cognitive-behavioral techniques to improve mood and behavior.

Family Therapy  — For parents with children in therapy, our work is often most productive when family members participate. I provide individualized counseling and feedback to parents on how to effectively address behavior and communication issues with their children. Family therapy can also be productive for adults in therapy as a way to understand and change family dynamics.

Grief, Loss and Trauma Therapy for Children and Adults — I have helped clients to recover from severe loss (suicide of a family member, the death of a spouse, parent, child, or friend) as well as from more subtle forms of grief, such as recurrent sadness over a failed marriage or emotional distress in dealing with illness or disability.

Reactive Attachment Issues — Reactive attachment refers to a cluster of behavioral and emotional symptoms that are believed to relate to an individual’s lack of normal bonding and attachment in the earliest years of life. I have worked with many clients at all stages of life who are struggling with reactive attachment issues, and have a background in providing therapy to foster and adoptive children who have suffered severe neglect and trauma.

New Media Therapy — I specialize in helping children and families address concerns about the appropriate and educational use of all kinds of new media, including online networks, video and online games, email and chatting, and blogs. I also offer web-based contact with clients and families in order to provide psychoeducational material and other support.

Sexual Abuse Evaluation/Treatment — Working as a Diagnostic Assessment Clinician for the Rhode Island courts gave me a basic background in sexual abuse evaluation. As a clinician for Bradley Hospital and Day One (formerly the Sexual Assault and Trauma Resource Center), I gained further experience in sexual abuse evaluation and treatment.  I am currently a Linked Provider with Day One and prioritize referrals from them in order to help address physical and sexual abuse issues in the community.

Part of my goal as a clinical social worker is to provide mental health news and information to as many people as possible. To that end, I write posts on a wide range of mental health issues here on my private practice blog.

I also publish a public advocacy and community-building blog called Kmareka.com (started in 2002) with my colleague and friend Nancy Green, RN.

Referrals can be made by calling (401) 744-8933. I am a provider for Blue Cross Blue Shield, Neighborhood Health Plan, and United Health.