Benjamin McCormack

I am a licensed clinical social worker able to provide psychotherapy services to children and families 10 years and younger. In addition, I am also a Registered Play therapist (RPT), a Certified Synergetic Play Therapist, and an EMDR Certified Therapist. I have almost a decade of experience working with children and families from a variety of issues ranging from ADHD, depression, anxiety, and trauma. I focus on a interpersonal neurobiology approach (What is going on with the nervous system and its impact on symptoms) while utilizing different treatment modalities such as play therapy, EMDR, client centered, and creative arts. I am also trained to run Circle of Security groups for parents focusing on problems related to connection and attachment. My goal is for children/families to learn ways to increase connection, understand the underlying meaning of what is going on, and how to manage these issues. I am here to help provide support and education to my clients and their families. I currently only work on Sundays from 11-3. Helpful links! Synergetic Play Therapy: https://synergeticplaytherapy.com/ Association for Play Therapy: https://www.a4pt.org/default.aspx Circle of Security: https://www.circleofsecurityinternational.com/circle-of-security-model/what-is-the-circle-of-security/ EMDR: https://www.emdria.org/ Blog for thought There has been a theme that has been coming up lately in all my sessions. Listening and connection. Such a simple word but a difficult action to do for parents at times. And it’s not their fault. It’s not just the words that make things difficult, it’s all the other information going on that overwhelms our brains. The sounds, smells, body language, emotions, feelings. When all these things come together in an intense moment, our own bodies react and become dysregulated. When that happens, our brain wants to become regulated again. To do that, the brains response to the situation could be wanting to shut the situation down, solve the problem, or even shut ourselves down. It’s so hard to stay in the moment with kids and ourselves! However, once all those parts are acknowledged, filed away in the brain, and able to regulate yourself, connection and co-regulation can happen. That makes the intensity in those moments decrease and kids become more regulated. That sounds a lot easier said than done. But it’s something to notice the next time a moment like that happens with our kids, or in everyday life. What is our response to situations that make us dysegautled and how to get ourselves back. If you have a kid between the ages of 3-10 and notice similar issues and are looking for psychotherapy services, feel free to contact me. The best way is through the contact section on my website. Young adults are also welcome to refer themselves for telehealth services.