Merritt M. Jensen, Ph.D.
Clinical Services
Family-Based Services
Parenting little (and not so little!) humans is an amazing, rewarding, exhausting, frustrating, delicate, patience-testing, compassion-filled experience. Even when we *think* we know what it's *supposed* to be like, life has a funny way of throwing challenges our way.
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Areas for support may include, but are not limited to:
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ADHD/neurodevelopmental executive function challenges
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Adverse childhood events
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Anxiety and mood
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Autism
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Behavioral challenges
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Child and Adolescent development
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Co-parenting
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COVID-19 - changes in behavior and emotions
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Family relationships
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Social justice
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Sleep
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Working together with your child, adolescent or young-adult, we will identify what's getting in the way of meeting expectations, and then work toward improving functioning through skill development, improved emotion regulation, and strengthened sense of well-being.
Toileting Challenges
Toleting challenges may include, but are not limited to:
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Toilet training
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Toileting fears and sensitivities
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Frequency
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Urgency
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Daytime wetting
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Nighttime wetting
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Constipation
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Soiling accidents
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Neurogenic bladder and bowel
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Barriers to success are often not obvious, and our job is to help children find ways to express what's getting in their way, and to then help them learn to gain control in their world by being in charge of their bodies.
Using playful teaching and discussion, individuals with toileting challenges will increasingly discover the power of "being the boss!"
Pediatric Health
Growing up with medical needs creates a unique opportunity for children, adolescents, young adults and their families to master navigating complex medical system successfully. Frequent medical care may also lead to understandable anxiety and distress, including:
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Adherence to medical care routines
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Adjustment and improved behavioral and/or socio-emotional functioning and acceptance in the context of acute or chronic illness or injury
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Fears related to medical treatment and equipment (e.g., needles, doctor's office visits)
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Medical trauma
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Non-pharmacological pain management and self-care
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Navigating COVID-19
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Pill swallowing challenges
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Traumatic stress due to healthcare experiences
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Whether related to an acute injury or illness, or complex issues that come with chronic medical conditions, we will work together to help your family thrive, even in the face of medical challenges.
School "Stuff"
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Navigating the Special Needs education world can be challenging. Worrying about "doing the right thing" in the time of COVID-19 weighs heavily on parents, as we are in unprecedented times of making what feels like impossible decisions about our children's education.
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We will work together to explore what's getting in your child's way at school, make appropriate referrals for assessment to learn more about their areas of strength and need. We may also develop recommendations for your child' 504 or IEP/GIEP to ensure they're getting what they need during their school day.
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Referrals for needed assessments or educational advocates to help navigate conversations with the school may also be part of the process.
Sex and Gender Expression
I adore working with children, adolescents, young adults, and their families as they explore and understand exactly who they are, regardless of sex, gender, and romantic expression. Whether part of the LGBTQIA+ community or an ally, deeply involved or just learning more, our conversations together will provide a safe, nurturing space for discovery.
Being true to YOU is our goal, and learning ways to love yourself, exactly as you are - and who you want to be - is our measure of success.
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Something Else?
If what you're looking for isn't listed here, please contact me so we may discuss your individual family's needs, and to determine ways in which I may be able to be helpful to you. If I'm not the best person for the job, we'll discuss next steps in identifying the best care possible.
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l look forward to hearing from you!