Pregnancy and Postpartum Mood Disorders 
Depression, Anxiety, or Obsessive/Compulsive disorders can affect pregnant or postpartum mothers.  The development of a wide spectrum of symptoms is related to hormones and personal history.  There are also personality and environmental factors that can increase the risk to a woman such as an unexpected pregnancy, marital/relationship conflict, lack of social support or isolation, stress, an over-achieving personality to name a few.  Postpartum Mood Disorders also has an impact on the father and other family members.  Follow the link to learn more about Postpartum Mood Disorders.

Ms. Blackledge has personal experience with and specialized training in helping new parents cope and heal from Postpartum Mood Disorders on an individual/family basis or within groups.

               u

Parenting
Parenting is the single, most challenging task a person can face.  Conversely, it is also the single, most rewarding experience in one's life.  It is this dichotomy that creates the issues associated with parenting.  The balance of co-parenting and caring for the child versus caring for ourselves is a daily chore.  The pressure to know and practice "perfect" parenting can be overwhelming.  

Ms. Blackledge has specialized training in several parenting programs and has helped many families learn what best works for them in matters related to parenting.  Ms. Blackledge can work with families parenting newborns to grandchildren, step-children, or children with special needs.  Bring your parenting issue to AZ Family Therapy Clinic.

               u

Disabilities/Special Needs
Living with a disability is a unique experience.  It brings such special rewards, yet also recurrent feelings of grief, resentment, and despair.  It is difficult to acknowledge or share these sensitive feelings. 

Ms. Blackledge has received extensive training in many types of disabilities, ADA, and IDEA and has coached many families to better understand, manage, and cope with a disability or medical condition.  Ms. Blackledge also provides special education advocacy services for students with 504 Plans for IEPs.  To visit the AZ Parent Advocate website click here.

Ms. Blackledge is currently training to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and will add the services of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy, Functional Behavior Analysis, and writing Positive Behavior Intervention Plans available to families.

Ms. Blackledge also has personal experience with disabilities as a mother of two (high-functioning) Autistic children and one with PANDAS causing severe ADHD, Tourette's Syndrome, and Obessive/Compulsive Disorder.

               u

Early Childhood Development & Education
Children grow at a miraculous pace.  With the number of synaptic connections in their brains, they are able to learn at a capacity far beyond that of an adult.  This learning is not limited to academics, but includes physical and social/emotional development.  Healthy, holistic development is crucial for children.  

Ms. Blackledge has over 20 years of training and experience in this field.  She understands the stages of child development and can interpret age-appropriate development.  She has provided developmental screenings for young children, written age-appropriate curriculums for childcare centers and preschools, worked with early intervention specialists, and participated on Arizona's School Readiness Committee. 

               u

Children's Mental Health
The field of infant/children's mental health has grown with the extensive brain research in infants/toddlers.  There is tremendous power in positive relationships and quality learning opportunities for our children. 

Ms. Blackledge is trained in Infant Attachment and Bonding, Parent/Child Intervention Therapy, and children's mental health issues.  She specializes children affected by social/emotional disabilities including Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Juvenile Bipolar, and ADD/ADHD.  She has also worked with foster children and adopted children who were affected by attachment issues.  

Get help living life. 

Contact
 AZ Family Therapy Clinic 
at
602-402-9510 or
kris@azfamilytherapy.com

Located in Anthem, AZ