Therapy for Children, Adolescents and Parents

At Storytellers, Elizabeth Orthmann, LMFT, specializes in supporting children and teens (ages 6–18) who are navigating the deep impacts of trauma—including natural disasters, exposure to violence, abuse or neglect, adoption, and developmental trauma. She also works with youth experiencing major life transitions, such as relocation, starting a new school, or preparing to launch into adulthood.

Elizabeth is a relational-based therapist who believes that empathy, compassion, and feeling truly heard are the foundation for growth and change. She offers both individual and family therapy, collaborating closely with families to ensure treatment goals are meaningful and client-driven. While she deeply respects the privacy and independence of her young clients, she always prioritizes connection with caregivers, integrating family work to strengthen the parent-child relationship.

How We Work: Experiential & Child-Centered Modalities

Children and teens rarely sit on a couch, maintain eye contact, and talk through their concerns. We use creative, brain-body modalities to help them express big feelings, process challenging events, and learn to regulate.

Play & Art

Play is a child’s natural language, and toys are their words. Through play and creative expression (drawing, crafting), youth safely explore complex feelings like anxiety, anger, or grief when talking feels too overwhelming.

Sand

Using a specialized tray of sand and miniature figures, children and teens build "worlds" that mirror their internal experiences. This powerful, non-verbal tool provides a safe distance to process tough memories and trauma without having to vocalize them right away.

Nervous System & Regulation Tools

Especially for youth navigating trauma or anxiety, understanding the body's response is key. I teach practical, somatic (body-based), and mindfulness tools to help youth recognize their fight/flight/freeze responses and learn how to calm their nervous systems.

Want to see the full scope of what I treat?

Every child's journey is unique, and these modalities are tailored to support a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and developmental needs. To see a detailed breakdown of the specific challenges and family dynamics I specialize in supporting, please explore my dedicated expertise page.