Laurie B. Freeman - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
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Laurie Freeman, LMFT (http://www.lauriebfreeman.com) is a licensed family therapist with a practice on the northside of Indianapolis, IN. She specializes in family and play therapy but also has extensive experience with couples and individual clients. Training includes a Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy from the Christian Theological Seminary Training Center in Indianapolis. Laurie has also received additional training in play therapy and participates in ongoing play therapy supervision. She has worked for 5 years at the CTS Counseling Center Clinic in addition to her more recent private practice. Other counseling experience includes 2 years of volunteer work as a Guardian Ad Litem for Child Advocates in Indianapolis. Laurie is a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapist and is a member of the Association for Play Therapy. She has also volunteered for several community events including a panel on guilt for the Greater Indianapolis Jewish Federation and a parenting panel for Hadassah. Counseling is a second career for Laurie. Prior to this training she has worked in sales and sales management for Prentice Hall College and Macmillan Computer publishing. This earlier career provided much life experience to add to her formalized training. Personally, Laurie is married and the mother of two teenaged children which additionally provides a wealth of practical experience. Laurie publishes a quarterly newsletter which may be accessed on this site and can provide information on areas of specialization as well as provide a sense of Laurie's style and counseling orientation. At the risk of sounding like a dated Madonna song, we do live in a material world. As adults this effects our daily life but more importantly, it effects how our children are being raised and it is shaping the values of future generations. Our culture inherently supports the value of material items, especially for children. Go to McDonalds, get a toy, go to a birthday party and there is a treat bag full of goodies for you even though it’s not your birthday. Play on a game system that costs several hundred dollars using games that start at $30 each. Don’t forget that IPOD to listen to music but pay attention because there will be a newer, cooler model out in just a few months. So why is this a problem? Our children are happy and stimulated and some might say even enriched by these perks. Who wants to deprive their child of the best? Who wants to revisit the childhoods of generations past when there might have been poverty and not enough food? My concern is that the focus on material things creates a sense of entitlement for our children and creates a standard of living that they may not be prepared to perpetuate for themselves. I wonder how this effects the work ethic for children who have been taught that there are immediate rewards for everything that you do. It could send the message that there is little value to old things since there is always something new and little need to recycle. Finally, there is a psychological value to longing, to not getting what you want when you want it. This value includes developing the discipline to set long term goals, using creative thinking and problem solving skills to making the goal happen and finally the gratification of knowing that you accomplished the goal. American culture isn’t going to change any time soon but here are some ideas for things you can do at home to create some balance to combat the materialistic messages in society.Set an Example Be aware of the messages you send in your family about the importance of material goods. Are you trying to keep up with the neighbors? Is buying a big tag item a special occurance or an every day thing? Are you sending the message that how much “stuff” you have is important to you?Set Limits Teach your children the difference between privileges and needs. Have them contribute financially to items that are special so that they know how much they cost and feel like they have earned them. Don’t be afraid to say no, even if “everyone” has something.Model Gratitude Show your children that you appreciate what you have. Teach them about other countries or time periods that were less prosperous. Expect that your children be thankful when given something including requiring thank you notes. We are very fortunate to be living in a time and in a country of prosperity. It is important that we both show and teach our appreciation. I help couples, families and individuals understand the patterns of thoughts, feelings and behaviors that keep them from having the relationships and the successes that they desire. I work with them to mobilize their ability and power to make the choices and changes that will make a real difference in their lives. I have worked with individuals and families for over 25 years, as a pastoral counselor, the founder of Brooke's Place for Grieving Young People, and a licensed therapist. Issues and concerns causing distress might best be resolved or reconciled through professional assistance. Common examples that clients seek my help may be relative to the death of a loved one, infertility, miscarriage, disease management, terminal illness, broken relationships, divorce, parent-child discord, empty nest, aging parents, job dissatisfaction, unexpected career loss, and faith values. I can support you best by creating a collaborative relationship so that you can discover your strengths and in so doing you can design solutions until hope emerges and you can embrace the future more confidently. As the founding director of Brookes Place, I can share what grievers of all ages (2-80+) have taught me. I have extensive experience in working with children, teens and young adults and can teach you proven ways to communicate with your peers or parents. I am a trained victims advocate and have provided trauma counseling locally and on the national level. I supported victims and survivors of the terrorist attack on the WTC and the United flight that plunged to earth in Pennsylvania on 9/11. My experience and training provides a caring and professional environment for you to explore your concerns. In the 35 years I have worked with clients, I've learned that our lives can change instantly. Sudden death, life threatening diagnosis, accidents, job loss, marriage, or divorce can shake us at our inner core. I also know that conflicts in relationships can be devastating and confusing. I strive to provide a safe, caring, compassionate and professional environment for you to work and find solutions. Feel free to call for a brief telephone consultation (no charge) to determine if I'm the right person to help you with your concerns. Membership: Indiana Oncology Social Workers; National Association of Social Workers.

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