Annie Stokesberry, PsyD
Children, Adolescents and Adults
Annie Stokesberry, PsyD is a child psychologist specializing in children, adolescents, and their families. She works in the St. Charles office, and is a graduate of Roosevelt University in Chicago. She is a behavioral specialist and aids parents looking for interventions to help their child respond to rules and directions, and with children needing success with their peers or academic pursuits. She works with children having difficulties regulating their emotions, who have problems with peers, or siblings, or who have experienced some type of loss or trauma and are having a hard time sorting through the confusing feelings that often accompany such an event. She also works with severe emotional behaviors such as self-injury and eating disorders.
“The key to generating effective solutions is understanding the nature and function of the symptom or behavior. It is imperative to work with parents to understand the experience of the child, how the child views his/her difficulties, and how he/she may perceive others’ understanding of them and their behavior.”
“The goal is to find solutions that factor in the unique qualities of the child and how he/she sees him/herself and the world. I help parents explore alternate ways to work with their child, when it seems everything they’ve tried has failed. I work to instill hope, and support parents through the difficult challenges that accompany raising a sensitive child. I also work with other members of the family when possible, such as siblings, to help others in the child’s life come to a better understanding of how they think or the reasons behind certain behaviors. I will also consult with teachers and other professionals who are part of the child’s life to include them in the therapeutic process, when needed.”
Dr. Stokesberry uses both a direct and supportive approach, depending on the age and personality of the child, while also considering what has been tried in the past and exploring why these interventions have not worked. Play therapy is often used for younger children, while a less direct approach may be more beneficial for resistant adolescents. “I try to match my approach with what the child and parent will be comfortable with, what they will respond to, and with what will meet the goals of therapy.”
