My primary goal is to listen for sources of loss and the unresolved and problems with connecting with others and oneself. Sometimes the source of discontent is in front of us, and sometimes the source is underneath many layers that have protected us from pain. We will listen for hints from the past, family patterns, and interactions between us as we develop a picture of the tasks on which to work.
One of the ways I think about how people relate comes from attachment theory. This theory is a way of understanding different styles of relating and how we can strengthen our trust in ourselves and others while we learn new communication styles.
When working with children, I utilize play therapy, which allows children to communicate in their favored language- the language of play. Children are developing beliefs about how the world operates, their strengths, their worries about themselves in the world, and how to be with others in a caring, mutual manner. I often work simultaneously with children and their caregivers so that the caregiver can strengthen their bond.