Grace Stanley
School-based and Early Childhood Mental Health Therapist
Education:
Winona State University - Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and Spanish
University of Minnesota - Masters in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health
More About Grace Stanley
Clinical Interests:
My clinical interests include early childhood psychopathology as well as helping the family as a whole with regards to child mental health. I have a passion for working with young children (0-5) and their families to work through a variety of mental health and behavioral challenges. My main focus are children that have had adverse experiences or psycho-social stressors impacting their well-being and mental health. I enjoy working with not just the child, but the family as whole. This includes assisting parents with psychoeducation, skills, and techniques as well as providing support and validation. I also like to include siblings and other important members of the family to create an optimal environment and support system. In addition to trauma and adverse childhood experiences, I also have a passion for working with children that struggle with anxiety, depression, neurodevelopmental disorders, or any mental health symptoms that impact day to day functioning in the home and/or at school.
Clinical Approach:
My clinical approach includes techniques in play therapy and attachment therapy. Because young children have limited language and cognitive abilities, they communicate and work through hardships through play. I also use attachment-based strategies such as working with the guardians and child to strengthen their relationship. I believe the parent-child relationship is one of the most important components to assisting young children with mental health struggles. In addition, I am certified in an evidence-based practice called Attachment Bio-Behavioral Catch-up therapy (ABC) that includes the parent and their child (age 6 mo-24mo). This main focus of this practice is to help build a secure attachment between the parent and child all while working through parenting hurdles and personal experiences.
Hobbies:
My hobbies include any and all arts and crafts. I enjoy almost anything that I can create with my hands, such as painting, drawing, sewing, crocheting, model clay, and jewelry making. When I am not in the middle of an art project, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. My favorite activities include pickleball, trying a new restaurant or dessert place, trivia with friends, watching the Green Bay Packers, and any fall activity you can think of!