Hilary Stratton

Profile

My path to specialization in child clinical psychology emerged from a drive to advocate for vulnerable populations and a fascination with developmental psychology. Along the way I found that working with youth and families is not only rewarding, but also fun! I strive to forge meaningful collaborative relationships with children and their families, with the understanding that therapy is hard work and requires placement in a vulnerable position to move toward recovery. Our work will involve identifying and interrupting maladaptive, chronic patterns of thinking, behaving, and relating to others, patterns that are ingrained and often serving a function that has yet to be elucidated. Depending on the presenting concerns and goals for treatment, work may include such tasks as bolstering self-confidence, establishing effective coping mechanisms, learning mindfulness and relaxation techniques, and building social skills. I use a blend of empirically-supported treatment approaches against the backdrop of a safe, supportive, and empowering therapeutic relationship.

My conceptualization of any individual is rooted in thoughtful consideration of the multiple systems and contexts in which that individual is expected to function, as well as collaboration with the family to uncover contextual and systemic factors contributing to any identified concerns. This process not only clarifies risk factors but also allows for the identification and harnessing of protective factors in service of promoting one’s natural propensity for resilience. A developmental lens further focuses the clinical picture (i.e., examination of what developmental tasks an individual is faced with at a given time and how success or struggle with such tasks intersects with the demands of family life, school and/or work, society/culture, and relationships).