Areej Iftaiha

Hello, I am Areej. I am a licensed clinical psychologist with over 15 years of experience, mainly working with children, adolescents, and their parents. My specialty is focused on child development and helping children master age-appropriate developmental stages successfully. I also work with parents closely to help empower them with adaptive parenting skills. I enjoy helping adolescents reach their full potential, especially those with life challenges and difficulties. Additionally, I also have an extensive understanding young children experiencing developmental delays. I am adept at performing assessments (Neuro-psychological, developmental, and academic achievement), and providing recommendations and treatment plans.

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Understanding the importance of how early childhood experiences impact personality structures and traits, I have dedicated the majority of my professional experience in early childhood interventions through the use of play therapy, empathic understanding, and building genuine and authentic connections. Using these interventions, I helped clients understand their pattern of behavior, maladaptive thoughts, and empower them to make the appropriate changes they need to make. I also employ the use of specific interventions such as the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) for children experiencing behavioral challenges.

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Prior to joining the Family & Child Therapy team, I have tremendously enjoyed working with children of different cultures and backgrounds. My experience spans from working as a school psychologist, where I completed assessments for students and offered treatment plans for students at risk, to working with children and their families in a private practice setting. While working with a former colleague, I successfully took on the challenge in creating a special education curriculum for a new school that was being built overseas. Working with young children with exceptionalities has taught me to celebrate and value the moment positive changes start happening, no matter how small. Everyone has their own unique potential, you just have to look for it, and I can help you find it.