Marisa Faneuff, LMHC
Specializing in individual and small group counseling for youth ages 4-18.
“A child’s mental health is just as important as their physical health and deserves the same quality of support”
INDIVIDUAL OR SMALL GROUP COUNSELING SESSIONS AVAILABLE
At Compassionate Youth Counseling we will work collaboratively with children and their families to provide personalized support and mental health counseling tailored to meet their individual needs. Using a wide variety of child-centered therapeutic approaches to meet the children where they are, identify areas of concern, set and achieve goals, and empower them to reach their full potential.
OUR MISSION
We are passionate about providing child-centered, evidence-based therapeutic services for children ages 4 -18. Available to address a wide variety of issues related to mental health including anxiety, depression, behavior concerns, peer conflict, and social, emotional development. The primary focus is to foster positive mental health and well-being by providing a safe space for children to express themselves openly, build critical coping skills, develop self-awareness, and increase self-confidence. We want to empower youth to make healthy choices, develop emotional resilience, and learn the skills needed to be the best version of themselves.
In addition to individual therapy, we offer small group counseling sessions to give children an opportunity to learn or strengthen social skills and understanding, build confidence, make connections, and more.
Groups meet one time weekly, and run consecutively for 6 week sessions.
At Compassionate Youth Counseling we use a variety of comprehensive therapeutic techniques and evidence-based psychotherapy including but not limited to:
Behavioral Therapy - is a general term for therapies that change unhealthy behaviors and manage various mental health conditions based on the idea that most behaviors are learned and can be changed. These therapies include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis, Interpersonal Therapy, Exposure Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - Is a mindfulness based behavior therapy that helps children understand and accept their inner emotions and negative experiences and aims to develop flexibility.
Awareness, Acceptance, Acknowledgement, & Action
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) - Is a scientific approach to behavior modification that uses positive reinforcement and other strategies to develop new skills and replace unwanted behaviors
Reinforcement
Prompting
Shaping
Chaining
Interpersonal Therapy -Is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on current social interactions and relationships to improve overall mental health and well-being by identifying issues, improving communication and problem-solving, focusing on the present rather than previous experiences
Exposure Therapy - Is a therapeutic technique that gradually exposes people to things, situations, and activities that they fear.
Habituation
Extinction
Emotional Processing
Self-Efficacy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - A form of talk therapy that explores the relationship and connection between thoughts, feelings, and actions in order to change negative thought patters and behaviors
Catch - Notice and identify the thoughts leading to negative emotions
Check - Evaluate the thoughts accuracy and usefulness
Change - Reframe the thought into a more helpful, useful, accurate one
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) - A form of psychotherapy that helps manage emotions and make positive changes.
Mindfulness
Journaling
Problem-solving
Coping Skills Development
Social Skills Training - Uses various forms of psychotherapy while aiming to improve communication, enhance understanding of social cues, make meaningful connections, and build self-confidence
Applied Behavior Analysis
Exposure Therapy
Role Play
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Art/Play Therapy
Interpersonal Therapy
Group Therapy - Group therapy uses peer interaction and group dynamics to improve skills and target specific behaviors and will use various forms of psychotherapy
Interpersonal Therapy
Experiential Therapy
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Art/Play Therapy
Solution-Focused Therapy - Is a goal oriented therapy that focuses on finding solutions for changing unwanted behavior by encouraging children to focus on the things they can do rather than the things they can’t
Future Focus
Solution Building
Incremental Change
Art Therapy - Is a form of therapy that encourages self-expression through a variety of art
Play Therapy - Is a therapeutic approach that uses play to help children express and process their feelings.
Motivational Interviewing - A client centered counseling approach aiming to help build motivation and make positive changes using open ended questions. reflective listening, and positive affirmations
Empathy
Acceptance
Supports Self-Efficacy.
Compassionate Youth Counseling is available to treat and provide support for a wide range of mental health concerns and conditions including, but not limited to:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Executive Dysfunction
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD)
Anxiety (All forms including - Generalized Anxiety Disorder GAD, Separation Anxiety Disorder SAD, Social Anxiety, Selective Mutism)
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Mood Disorders
Depression
Grief/Loss and Prolonged Grief Disorder
Eating Disorders (Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating, Pica)
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
Suicidal Ideation
Self Harm
Substance Use/Abuse
Our Services
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Our Services *
At Compassionate Youth Counseling we believe it is important to work collaboratively with children and their families. We prioritize building strong, trusted relationships as we feel it can be critical to their success. An initial intake appointment is an opportunity for the parent/caregiver to discuss their concerns, visions, and expectations while answering the intake questions. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for us to work together to discuss and/or identify target areas and develop the best, most effective action plan tailored to meet the individual needs of each child.
*An individual counseling intake appointment in NOT required to book individual or group counseling sessions for new or existing clients. These sessions can be scheduled in-person or virtually
Individual Counseling Intake/Family Support
Small Group Counseling
Small group counseling is a structured therapeutic environment where a small number of children (3-7) meet with counselor to explore and address social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. These groups are designed to help children develop coping skills, improve social interactions, build self-esteem, manage stress or anxiety, and enhance communication skills. These sessions encourage peer interaction, provide emotional support, and allow children to practice positive behaviors in a safe, guided setting.
Activities include games, role-playing, art projects, and discussions tailored to the developmental needs of the children involved. Small groups are designed to create a comfortable atmosphere where children feel heard, supported, and empowered.
Individual Counseling Session
An individual counseling sessions for children ages 4-18 is one on one therapeutic experience designed to support a child’s social, emotional, psychological, and behavioral development. The goal of individual counseling is to address and support identified areas of concern in a comfortable environment. These sessions are an effective way to help children navigate the various challenges in life, learn coping strategies, manage feelings of depression or anxiety, deal with relationship problems, gain self-awareness, and improve overall mental well-being.
For younger children (ages 4-10) The therapeutic approach often involves play therapy, art activities, games, stories to help the child express themselves in a way that is natural for their developmental stage.
For adolescent children (ages 11-18) The therapeutic approach often involves a combination of talk therapy, behavioral therapy techniques, and play or art therapy which allows the child a creative outlet to articulate their thoughts and feelings.
For all children (ages 4-18) The therapist’s role is to create a trusting and safe environment where they feel heard, understood, supported, and empowered.
Sessions are confidential, and progress is communicated with the parents, respecting the child’s privacy while working collaboratively with the family by involving them in the therapeutic process.
ABOUT ME
Compassionate Youth Counseling is owned and operated by Marisa Faneuff a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and School Adjustment Counselor. I am a graduate of Bay Path University, where I earned both an undergraduate degree in, Child Psychology and a graduate degree in, Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Adjustment Counseling. After graduate school I began my work as a counselor gaining the 3,660 hours of clinical experience needed to become eligible for independent licensure. Once eligible, I took the exam to become independently licensed and got to work making my dream a reality.
My hope for Compassionate Youth Counseling is to provide unconditional, judgement free support and guidance to as many children and families as possible. Empowering children while teaching them the skills needed to navigate lives various challenges. Children are faced with more pressure than ever due to increased academic demands, social challenges, family dynamics, and the overwhelming presence of social media. These pressures, in addition to the other day to day growing pains can often lead to feelings of uncertainty, low self-esteem, and many other mental health struggles. I want to help break down some of the barriers and reduce the stigmas that often surround mental health while providing a space where children can openly express themselves. A place where they feel heard, understood, and valued in order to see their worth and reach their full potential. Working together to develop healthy coping strategies, minimize negative thoughts and behaviors, and become confident, self-aware, and successful individuals. My dream is to make a meaningful impact and difference in the community and in the lives of our youth.
I live in Wilbraham with my husband and four teenaged children 19, 16, 15, and 15. We also have two dogs Sami and Bauer. I spend the majority of my free time watching my children play their various sports which includes hockey, football, lacrosse, baseball, and golf! I love being outside walking, hiking, and gardening. I am currently employed full time in the public school system working to meet the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of middle school students ages 11-15. I have past experience working with children from early childhood through high school and into young adulthood.
I look forward to working with you!
CERTIFICATIONS & SKILLS
CERTIFICATION
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor (all levels) License
Signs of Suicide
SBIRT in Schools
De-escalation Strategies
Making Schools Safe for Transgender Students
Trauma Informed Practices
Trauma and Crisis
Psychological First Aid
Complex Trauma in Children and Adolescents
Bullying Prevention
CPR/First Aid Certification
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Experience in CBT, DBT, Behavior Therapy, Play Therapy, Art Therapy, Talk Therapy, Individual and Small Group Counseling, Crisis Intervention, Clinical Counseling, Child & Family Counseling, ABA, Crisis Management, Mental Health Counseling
Schedule an appointment
Compassionate Youth Counseling IS NOT accepting Health Insurance at this time…..
PAYMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE:
Private Pay (out-of-pocket)- Cash, Check, Credit Card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover)
Package Deals-Discounted rates for booking for a bundle of sessions upfront (4,6, or 8 sessions)
Superbills for Reimbursement- Able to provide an itemized receipt for clients to submit for their insurance for possible out-of-network reimbursement
Payment Plans- monthly or bi-weekly payment options in order to budget over time
Book an appointment for an initial intake counseling session, an individual counseling session, or signup for one of our small group counseling sessions today.
Compassionate Youth Counseling is dedicated to providing you with compassionate and confidential mental health treatment and support tailored to meet the individual needs of each client and family.
Contact Us
Interested in learning more or scheduling an appointment? Fill out the required info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!