Mayda Taney
Psychotherapist & Art Therapist at http://www.seattle-mental-health.com
Building on 14 years as a special education teacher working with significant behavioral and mental health issues, I went back to school to become an art psychotherapist ie: a psychotherapist specially trained in the process and method of art therapy. Now I am a Washington State licensed mental health counselor and Board Certified Art Therapist. One of my fortes is working with children who have high levels of anxiety, who do not want to talk about their feelings. I use a combination of play and art therapy and work on an experiential level to help these children process their fears and increase their sense of control. This is usually the case in general with adolescents. Generally speaking people suffer from anxiety or depression or a combination thereof in varying degrees of duration and intensity. My job and honor is to provide a safe, nurturing environment where people of all ages can learn to trust themselves and others, to break out of frustrating patterns of behavior and find some peace of mind and have better relationships. This then supports them becoming more successful and effective at whatever they put their minds and energy to.
2006 - 2009I work with kids, families and adults, helping them resolve conflict, relieve anxiety and depression, gain insight into their troubles, learn new skills for more a balanced ( not to mention fun) life. Typical conditions I treat: Anxiety, Depression, Grief & Loss, Post adoption support, healing from trauma ( sexual,physical, war trauma), panic disorders, burn out and supporting teachers.
I have very strong behavioral assessment skills, focusing on strengths and looking at practical ways to solve problems. I use art therapy with those clients that are open to it as a way to enhance the learning process for awareness, gaining perspective, increasing sense of control over feelings and situations and visualizing change. I use Dialectical Behavior Therapy alone or in concert with art therapy and/or play therapy. Dialectical Therapy is an integrated model using mindfulness, spirituality, cognitive and behavioral techniques to learn to deal with overwhelming feelings and situations.
2004 - 2007I worked with all ages suffering from various degrees of mood disorders such as severe depression, PTSD, OCD, anxiety disorders, panic disorders. phobias, homelessness, ADHD, sexual abuse, physcial abuse, domestic violence, chronic pain and illness,parenting education, group, family and individual counseling, play and art therapy as well as talk therapy.
1990 - 2001Educational Institution; Primary/Secondary Education industry
Managed, planned and taught students with moderate to severe mental retardation usually combined with behavioral or physical issues such as autism, wheelchair bound, mental illness, sensory deficits. Usually supervised, trained and managed 4-7 educational assistants who helped teach the students on individual basis, job coach, interact with support with theri peers, go out in the community, learn how to cook, clean, shop, ride the bus as examples.