I am Victoria Ringo, a licensed clinical social worker whose focus is working with children and families.  I came into the field of clinical social work through a career in education and the creative arts.  Many of those same skills are at the foundation of my clinical approach: working collaboratively toward goals, appreciating how an individual functions within the larger group and, most notably, bringing an element of play or creativity into the process. 

I use play therapy with young children who are not yet able to articulate the cause of their distress.  It is through “play” that a child can convey information and, in fact, “make sense” of her world.  I have seen children make remarkable progress through this modality, including those with diagnoses of anxiety disorders, adjustment disorders, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.  While less likely to make use of traditional play therapy, older children often respond favorably to a creative approach as well.  Adolescent girls, for example, may use games or role-playing to address issues of self-esteem and improve social skills.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked with many populations and seen numerous examples of “success stories.”  For me, none have been so rewarding as seeing change take place in a child’s life.  Being part of that process continues to be one I consider a great privilege.