Erin Gleason Leyba | Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Ph.D.

 Psychotherapy for Individuals and Couples
    
     

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Specialized Therapy for Parents and Children

Parent Support & Parent Guidance
Parenting is one of the most complex tasks a person can encounter. Every parent can use some help with challenges and questions. I help parents with situations such as:
  • Preparing for a new child
  • Postpartum depression
  • Balancing work, personal, and home responsibilities
  • Caring for children with unique or difficult circumstances
  • Managing multiple children at one time
  • Managing children’s challenging behaviors
  • Working things out with a co-parent
  • Transitioning to new circumstances following a death or divorce in the family
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Many parents are doing so much for their children and families that they find it extremely helpful to take a break to reflect. When you take a step back and discuss things, you may see them in a new way. You become more aware of your own feelings and needs. You can formulate goals and take steps toward well-being. Therapy is a great way to take some time for yourself, away from your busy routine. This has positive effects on both you and your family.

Parents often find it helpful to talk with me about difficult situations regarding their children. Through our discussions, strategies for handling confusing situations become clear. We will discuss concrete ways to support your children’s positive behaviors and minimize their negative behaviors so you can fully enjoy your time with them. We will talk about ways that you can develop an even closer bond with your children and support them through difficult feelings and circumstances. We may also discuss how certain behaviors relate to developmental tasks and stages.

Child and Adolescent Therapy
  • Do you want to support your child through a difficult time?
  • Is your child’s academic performance being affected by his or her self-esteem, anxiety, or energy?
  • Do you want to help your child develop stronger friendships or family relationships?
  • Do you want to help your child overcome challenging behaviors so your family members can enjoy each other more?

Recognizing that children or adolescents need help and bringing them to therapy means you are committed to their happiness. Through therapy, I support children through changes or losses. I also help children further develop strategies of positive coping and relating. Young children often feel more comfortable playing rather than talking, so I utilize books, sand play, creative play, art therapy, role plays, and other activities to help them understand situations and express themselves. I integrate relationship-based and behavior-based approaches into my work with children and adolescents.

Therapy can help children and adolescents:
  • Feel better about themselves
  • Sustain happy, caring relationships
  • Develop healthy patterns of relating
  • Express feelings
  • Learn positive, age-appropriate behaviors
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If you have a question about whether or not I can help you or your child with a specific issue, please call me at 773-758-4321 for a free phone consultation. If I am unable to help you, I will try to refer you to someone who can.



Erin Gleason Leyba, L.C.S.W., Ph.D.
tel: (773)-758-4321 email: erinleyba@gmail.com
Offices in Evanston, Lakeview (Chicago), and Oakbrook