» Laurie Young, LCSW-C

My goal as a therapist is to help children, adolescents and adults to experience their lives with a sense of empowerment, self-respect and connection to others. In my practice, clients learn to develop problem-solving skills, express feelings, modify behavior and learn a variety of new ways of relating to others. My specialties include treating depression, anxiety, grief and loss, and trauma. I use a variety of therapeutic modalities—including psychodynamic, cognitive, solution-focused, sandtray therapy and child-centered play therapy—in addition to teaching workshops for mental health professionals.

Contact Laurie Young at lyoungLCSWC@aol.com, or call our office at 301.589.5089.

Click here to find out about our services.

 

» Upcoming Training

» Individual Psychotherapy
» Couples Counseling
» Family Therapy
» Adolescents
» Children
» EMDR
» Sandtray

» Click here to download (in .pdf format)

 
10/03/2011 06:33 PM
Upcoming Sand Tray Psychotherapy Workshop: 10/21/11
Upcoming Continuing Education Workshop for Psychotherapists
Sand Tray Psychotherapy: An Introductory Experiential Workshop

Presenter: Laurie Young, LCSW-C

Friday, October 21st, 2011, 9:00 am -- 3:00 pm
at Laurie Young's home office
Downtown Silver Spring Md.

Workshop cost is $150; 5 category 1 CEUs offered free of charge

Sand Tray Psychotherapy is a "hands on" expressive therapeutic approach that translates a client's personal experience into concrete, 3-dimensional form. Using a tray of sand, water and thousands of miniature figurines, clients represent their inner worlds in tangible, observable form in the sand. Clients symbolically process their thoughts, feelings and memories in a vivid, memorable and highly personal way. In an unconditional, protected space and with the therapist as respectful witness, the client can work through experiences and internal states which may not be accessible through verbal processing alone.

This 6-hour experiential workshop will introduce clinicians to the theory and practice of Sand Tray. Specific topics that will be covered are:

 Description of the history, evolution and key clinical concepts of Sand Tray, and how it fits in with Jungian and Play Therapy orientations practiced today;

 Step-by-step instructions about how to facilitate a Sand Tray session with children, adolescents and adults--backed up by experiential exercises practiced during the workshop;

 Practical suggestions about how to set up a Sand Tray practice space;

 Exploration of the sticky ethical questions involving client selection, chart documentation and confidentiality.
About the Presenter: Laurie Young specializes in using play therapy and other expressive therapies to treat children, adolescents , adults and families in crisis. This is her 10th year teaching and supervising sand tray psychotherapy in the greater Washington DC area.

To register: Contact Laurie Young at lyounglcswc@aol.com
10/03/2011 06:29 PM
Upcoming Workshop for Psychotherapists Friday, October 7, 2011 9 AM – 12 PM
Upcoming Workshop for Psychotherapists

Igniting Creative and Clear Thinking:
Using “The Thinking Environment” in Psychotherapy

Donna Duquette, J.D., Mediator
Judith M. Glasser, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist

Friday, October 7, 2011 9 AM – 12 PM
at the Kolmac Clinic
1003 Spring St., Silver Spring, MD 20910

This workshop is offered free of charge: 3 Category 1 CEU’s offered for $20
Complementary lunch provided by Kolmac at 12:00 pm

When the human brain is on fire with emotion it is difficult for people to think well. And yet, clients must think clearly when they make important decisions for themselves and their loved ones. In this workshop we will describe work that has been done by British author Nancy Kline in developing environments that foster clear thinking. Several case examples will illustrate how a model of "good thinking" can be integrated into clinical practice. This workshop is designed to help participants:

 Learn the 10-components that create a “Thinking Environment”
 Experience several aspects of this model through demonstration and interactive exercises during the workshop
 Create “incisive questions,” a powerful technique geared towards uncovering underlying assumptions, core beliefs and cognitive distortions that limit a client's capacity to think clearly
 Learn current thinking from a neuropsychological point of view as to why the “Thinking Environment” is effective

Participants interested in learning more are encouraged to read Nancy Kline’s books: Time To Think: Listening to Ignite the Human Mind (1999) and More Time To Think (2009)

About the presenters: Donna Duquette is a family mediator, attorney and teacher (www.mediationoffice.net). She collaborated with Nancy Kline in applying her powerful framework to mediation, as described in Kline’s book More Time to Think. Judith Glasser is a Clinical Psychologist with 28 years of experience as a psychotherapist in private practice (www.judithglasser.com).

To register: Contact Laurie Young at lyounglcswc@aol.com
For directions and parking information, please visit the Kolmac Clinic website at:http://www.kolmac.com/locat-silver-spring.htm
09/21/2010 04:57 PM
Disciplining 6 to 10 Year Olds: What Works and What Doesn't Work
Setting limits with this age group is tricky. Here are some effective techniques to keep them safe, while offering them more opportunities to be independent:

• Define the rules clearly. Parents and children tend to fight over the same issues repeatedly. Establish set rules. For instance, tell your child he can only watch television after he finishes his homework. This will cut down on daily battles and constant negotiations.

• Use consequences as a form of punishment when rules are broken. For example, "You broke the window when you threw your ball against the wall. You need to pay for it with your allowance." A consequence related to misbehavior reinforces the message that this behavior is unacceptable.

• Discuss emotions. If your child is speaking angrily, ask him what is upsetting him. Once he expresses his feelings, he will have less of a need to be aggressive.

• At this stage children continue to benefit from rewards. If she keeps forgetting to make her bed, promise your child a trip to the mall when she accomplishes this task every day for a week.

• Listen to your child's reasoning. You may not go along with your 8-year-old's wish to go to a rock concert, but it is important to give your child the opportunity to plead his case.

• When your child misbehaves, help her to understand her behavior. If she can connect her emotions to her actions, she will gain greater control.

• Grant your child new privileges when it is feasible. If your 10-year-old wants to walk to school by himself, practice the route with him until you feel comfortable letting him go alone.

• Talk to other parents. This will give you some idea of what privileges you should grant your child and how to handle new situations.

• Always end a discussion about a misbehavior by giving your child a positive skill to use. For example, instruct your 7-year-old, "When you want to buy new Yu-Gi-Oh cards, you need to ask me. You must never borrow money from your friend."

• Maintain realistic expectations. Even though your 9-year-old looks like she is 12, she will still whine and cry. Be patient. She needs time to develop.

• Teach your child to exercise independent judgment. Educate your child about smoking, drugs, AIDS, etc. Give him personal examples of how you dealt with bullies or refused to go along with the crowd. Use role-playing to help him practice self-assertion.


6 to 10 Years Olds: Disciplinary Strategies that Don't Work

• Shaming a child. When your 10-year-old is crying because you will not buy her expensive sneakers, refrain from telling her, "You're acting like a baby." This may lead to self-confidence issues because it communicates that the child's emotions are bad, therefore she is flawed. It is important to acknowledge a child's wish and be accepting of his or her emotional reaction even when saying no.

• Cutting off a conversation. If a child asks for a privilege and you are unwilling to discuss it with him, he will feel enraged. Maintaining an open dialogue is important for a healthy relationship between parent and child.

• Using severe punishments. Punishments should fit the crime. If your child misses one homework assignment, taking away television for a week would be extreme. One evening to help him catch up would suffice.

Be Patient and Consistent

It takes children a very long time to learn how to control their impulses, follow the rules and relate appropriately to others. You will need to be patient and repeat the rules over and over again. If you set limits with your child in a consistent, positive way, eventually your child will internalize your expectations.
08/10/2010 12:46 PM
Upcoming Continuing Education Workshop for Psychotherapists

Sand Tray Psychotherapy: An Introductory Experiential Workshop

Presenter: Laurie Young, LCSW-C

Friday, September 17, 2010, 9:00 am -- 3:00 pm
at Laurie Young's office
8720 Georgia Ave, Suite 808, Silver Spring Md. 20910

Workshop cost is $150; 6 category 1 CEUs offered free of charge

This workshop meets the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners Continuing Education Ethics requirement

Sand Tray Psychotherapy is a "hands on" expressive therapeutic approach that translates a client's personal experience into concrete, 3-dimensional form. Using a tray of sand, water and thousands of miniature figurines, clients represent their inner worlds in tangible, observable form in the sand. Clients symbolically process their thoughts, feelings and memories in a vivid, memorable and highly personal way. In an unconditional, protected space and with the therapist as respectful witness, the client can work through experiences and internal states which may not be accessible through verbal processing alone.
This 6-hour experiential workshop will introduce clinicians to the theory and practice of Sand Tray.

Specific topics that will be covered are:

 Description of the history, evolution and key clinical concepts of Sand Tray, and how it fits in with Jungian and Play Therapy orientations practiced today;

 Step-by-step instructions about how to facilitate a Sand Tray session with children, adolescents and adults--backed up by experiential exercises practiced during the workshop;

 Practical suggestions about how to set up a Sand Tray practice space;

 Exploration of the sticky ethical questions involving client selection, chart documentation and confidentiality.

About the Presenter: Laurie Young specializes in using play therapy and other expressive therapies to treat children, adolescents , adults and families in crisis. This is her 7th year teaching and supervising sand tray psychotherapy in the greater Washington DC area.

To register: Contact Laurie Young at lyounglcswc@aol.com
08/10/2010 12:41 PM
Upcoming Ethics Workshop for Psychotherapists -- September 13, 2010 in Silver Spring
Upcoming Ethics Workshop for Psychotherapists -- September 13, 2010 in Silver Spring


TAKING CARE OF THE CHILDREN:HELPING DIVORCING PARENTS NEGOTIATE PARENTING PLANS

Presenter: Donna Duquette, J.D., Mediator

Monday, September 13, 2010, 9:00 am -- 12:00 pm

at the Kolmac Clinic
1003 Spring St., Silver Spring Md. 20910

Workshop is offered free of charge; 3 Category 1 CEUs offered for $20

This workshop meets the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners Ethics Requirement

This 3-hour presentation will explain how therapists, mediators and parents can work together to design a parenting plan that promotes the health and well-being of the children.

Specific areas that will be covered are:

 Explanation of the critical elements of a parenting plan and how the parenting plan fits in the divorce process (including a description of legal terms and common parenting schedules);

 Suggestions on how therapists and mediators can "team up" to encourage parents to think clearly about the needs of all family members;

 Description of conflict resolution methods which convey compassion yet keep the focus on parental decision-making tasks; and

 Exploration of the ethics involved in supporting the self-determination and empowerment of clients when the therapist has concerns about the parents’ decisions.

About the Presenter: Donna Duquette is a family mediator, attorney, and teacher. Her private mediation practice (www.mediationoffice.net) is devoted primarily to mediation for separation and divorce. She is recognized as a Certified Mediator by the Maryland Council for Dispute Resolution. Donna teaches a course in conflict resolution at the University of Maryland, College Park, and has presented workshops to a wide variety of governmental, religious, and educational organizations.

TO REGISTER: Contact Laurie Young at lyounglcswc@aol.com

FOR DIRECTIONS AND PARKING INFORMATION, please visit the Kolmac Clinic website at:
http://www.kolmac.com/locat-silver-spring.htm


  ©2005 Silver Spring Psychotherapy Associates. All rights reserved.