Small Town News

New practice aims to help children, families

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Cape Behavioral Health opens on Wescoats Road

Cape Behavioral Health, a new therapy practice near Lewes, aims to offer healing therapy for the entire family.

Carly Miller and Susan Woodward opened the new practice on Wescoats Road May 1 to offer therapy for children and families.

Woodward, a licensed clinical social worker and registered play therapist, worked for the past seven years with children who experienced traumatic ordeals. She partnered with Miller in the new practice because she wanted to broaden the scope of her work

"I wanted to expand the work and not just work with trauma victims," Woodward said. "I use play to better communicate with kids. Here I will be able to offer services to those with mood disorders, conduct disorders, family disolution, grief and loss, as well as trauma."

Woodward has a room set up with activities to help children feel comfortable enough to talk to her. She helps children relax by playing catch, using puppets or creating imaginary worlds with figurines in a sandbox. She works with young children as well as teenagers and adults. The interior room is inviting with a large couch for patients to use during therapy sessions.

Often problems children are having reflect difficulties of the entire family, so that's where Miller comes in.

Miller specializes in marriage and family psychotherapy. She has certification in mediation and works toward alternative dispute resolution. She was one of the first therapists to receive a Delaware license for marriage and family therapy in 2005.

Miller works with the entire family or just the parents if needed. She is familiar with the Lewes area as well, having lived in and around the town for several years in the past. Her husband is also from the area, so she has been doing a lot of networking in the community.

"Clients can be referred to us from other agencies, but it's also important to know the people in the community so we can refer out as well," Miller said. "It's really about finding the right match for the patient. We are working with schools, churches and other professionals."

Both Miller and Woodward hope their clients feel comfortable in the office. While the office is new, they create a soft look with neutral wall paint and colorful paintings. In the future, they hope to work with local artists to bring in more of a sense of community to the office. They want people to get to know them, so they can help others in the community.

"People talk about their most intimate issues here, so we want them to feel comfortable and feel that we are a good match for them," Woodward said.

The pair also has big plans for the future, including adding a massage therapist to the practice. Miller said the therapist would help add the healing touch aspect to the therapy group by working with traumatized patients to help them know the right kind of touch. Miller and Woodward would also like to add a child psychologist to the practice in the future.

"We want to support the community at large and collaborate with other professionals," said Miller. Prospective clients can visit the website or call us. We are more than happy to talk about our practice and make referrals when there is a better fit for someone."

The office is located at 33712 Wescoats Road, Unit 2, Lewes, right behind the new Walgreens location. For more information, visit www.capebehavioralhealth.com or call 302-727-9661.

'PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THEIR MOST INTIMATE ISSUES HERE, SO WE WANT THEM TO FEEL COMFORTABLE AND FEEL THAT WE ARE A GOOD MATCH FOR THEM.'

-SUSAN WOODWARD, CAPE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH





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