Dr. Sara Tapsak Clinical Psychologist

I provide individual therapy for children and teens, as well as parent coaching for the following:

• Anxiety, including generalized anxiety, social anxiety, separation anxiety, panic attacks

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Adjustment and coping with acute and/or chronic medical illness, such as Crohn’s Disease, Epilepsy, congenital heart disease

• Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder (FNSD)

• Chronic pain

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Behavioral challenges, such as oppositional behaviors, non-compliance, school refusal

• Coping with stress and life transitions

therapeutic Approach

I examine the concerns that are bringing you to treatment through a biopsychosocial model in which consideration is given to the biological, psychological, social/cultural, and developmental aspects of presenting challenges, as well as examine your child’s and family’s strengths. From there, we develop specific goals that you hope to achieve through the therapeutic process. I then utilize components of the following evidence-based treatments to support meeting those goals:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Exposure with Response/Ritual Prevention (ERP)

• Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE)

• Parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT)

• Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS)

• Behavior modification and parent training

In addition, I believe that multidisciplinary collaboration with medical teams and schools, where indicated, is invaluable to supporting the best outcomes for your child. With permission, this is often a part of treatment.