Stacey Mak, LCSW specializes in the treatment of children who have been diagnosed with Complex Trauma, Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Bipolar Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or a combination of the above. Offering support, information, and therapy for families who have experienced complex trauma, relational trauma, attachment disorders, bonding issues, behavioral challenges, difficulties for adoptive and foster families, as well as assessment and diagnosis. Serving children and families in North Florida, Jacksonville, and the surrounding areas.

What are attachment disorders?

These issues are caused in the first 3 years of life, characterized by difficulty forming loving and lasting relationships.

Children with attachment issues can exhibit a variety of symptoms and behaviors, usually anxious and self-protective in nature, that can include:

Superficial charm

Lack of eye contact

Indiscriminately affectionate with strangers

Difficulty showing affection to family members

Destructive to self, others and material things

Lying about the obvious

Stealing

Poor impulse control

Learning struggles

Lack of cause and effect thinking

Poor conscious development

Poor peer relationships

Inappropriately demanding and clingy

Triangulation of adults

Presumptive entitlement issues

Many of these children have been adopted by loving parents, who are providing a tremendous amount of love and support to their child, but the behaviors persist and a connection seems superficial. Despite these occurrences, a child wants to bond and be loved by the family, but has a difficult time letting down their defense mechanisms due to past trauma. In many cases, this can result in trauma to the parental unit as well. Your family CAN heal! These children are capable of a loving, reciprocal relationship with the proper treatment.