Ally Schulz MS, LPC

child counseling & play therapy

Play, a child's natural form of expression, is a vital part of a child's growth and development. Play therapy is a unique type of counseling in which children can experience a safe environment and express their emotions primarily through toys in place of words. It's an opportunity to address an issue or experience that may be affecting a child's development. 

Through receiving child counseling and play therapy with Ally, children will be encouraged to... 

• Express themselves and their emotions in a healthy way

• Try new things

• Learn new social and relational skills

• Work through their problems

• Develop respect for others and self

• Cultivate a sense of personal responsibility for their behaviors

• Recognize their individual strengths and abilities

• Learn empathy for other's thoughts and feelings

pre-teen & adolescent counseling

Some of Ally's areas of focus for pre-teen and adolescent counseling include:

• Self-esteem issues

• Stress and anxiety

• Depression

• Adjusting to parental separation and divorce

• Body image

• Eating disorders

• Peer relationships

• School struggles

Psychological assessment is often used to explore what's really going on in a pre-teen's and adolescent's life. Assessments can provide useful feedback to increase understanding of the client's experience and to jump start the counseling process.

Adult individual counseling

Adult individual counseling is an opportunity for adult clients to express their thoughts and emotions and discuss challenging issues they may face in a safe, supportive, and confidential environment. Some of the areas of focus Ally works on with adult clients include:

• Self-esteem issues

• Stress and anxiety disorders

• Depression

• Relationship problems

• Adjusting to life transitions

• Body-image issues

• Eating disorders

group counseling

Group counseling is a type of therapy in which individuals participate in group counseling sessions over an extended period of time, typically once per week. The group can become a nonjudgmental, open place where members can discuss their feelings and struggles with those who are facing some similar situations along with those who may be able to offer a different perspective.

During these groups for kids and teens, Ally facilitates discussions, provides feedback, and models pro-social behaviors while incorporating psychoeducation, activities, expressive arts, and games. 

Contact Ally for information regarding current and upcoming counseling groups.

family counseling

Family counseling is a type of counseling that can involve all members of a family or those members that are able to participate in counseling sessions. In family counseling, Ally assists families in resolving conflicts, enhancing communication skills, and deepening relationships within the family. 

therapeutic parenting 

Ally is trained in Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT), a filial parenting model used to enhance the parent-child relationship while empowering the parents with knowledge and skills to affect a positive change in their child.  Ally guides parents in adopting these strategies and in understanding their child and their own role as parent better.  

animal-assisted therapy

Animal-assisted therapy can promote improvements on the social, emotional, and even cognitive functioning levels.  In counseling sessions, animal-assisted therapy can be incorporated to increase self-esteem, reduce anxiety, increase sense of connection, develop relational skills, and more. 

Ally is able to offer animal-assisted therapy for qualifying clients with certain needs through her well-trained vizsla, Holly-Belle.  Ally and Holly-Belle have both successfully completed the Skills and Aptitude Screening for the Pet Partners Program and are registered together as a Pet Partners team.  Holly-Belle also has her Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification and title through the American Kennel Club (AKC).