My work is guided by you or your child’s needs, honoring their pace, their story, and the way they naturally move toward healing.
PLAY THERAPY
Play is the universal language of children. In Nondirective Child-Centered Play Therapy, children use play to explore and process complex emotions and life circumstances. In this context, toys become a child’s words. Developmentally, play therapy is often more effective than traditional talk therapy for children ages 3 to 12. Depending on the individual child’s needs, treatment goals, or level of maturity, I may incorporate a more directive approach when appropriate.
TALK THERAPY/EMDR
Traditional talk therapy is generally more appropriate for children ages 13 and older. With adolescents and young adults, I incorporate creative modalities to support self-expression and emotional processing. Art can be a powerful tool, helping clients explore and express their experiences, especially when working through past trauma or difficult life events. I frequently draw from Internal Family Systems (IFS) when working with adolescents, teens, and adults. I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and have additional training in Playful EMDR for children. This integrative approach allows me to help clients of all ages—particularly children—process traumatic experiences in a developmentally appropriate and engaging way. By combining EMDR with play-based methods, I can support younger clients in accessing and resolving distress while remaining grounded in the language of play.
PARENT COACHING
As a Certified Positive Discipline Early Childhood Educator, I am deeply passionate about strengthening the parent-child relationship. At its core, discipline means "to teach," and I support parents in teaching their children to engage in adaptive, respectful behaviors. I utilize Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) and Filial Therapy to guide parents in communicating with their children in developmentally appropriate ways. Through these approaches, I help parents foster effective interactions that nurture secure attachment and long-term emotional connection.
"A child needs encouragement like a plant needs water." Rudolph Dreikurs
Therapy and counseling have the power to transform every individual for the better. Using the tools therapy provides, individuals have the potential to reach their goals.
I approach every client as the individual they are and take time to specifically cater my services to a client’s unique needs. My hope is that our time together will help you develop the bridge from where you are to where you would like to be.
FAQs
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The first session will be an initial intake with the parents or young adult to discuss presenting concerns, history, and goals.
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A typical session will depend on your child’s needs and maturity level. Some children require strict play therapy while others benefit from traditional talk therapy. I can assure you that all sessions will have an element of creativity incorporated.
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Confidentiality is important to maintain a strong therapeutic rapport. That said, parents are a very important part of the process. For younger clients I will schedule a parent session every few sessions with a child to ensure you are aware of their progress. For older children I encourage parent sessions take place with the child present to preserve the therapeutic rapport. For young adults (18+) I will only communicate with parents if it is the client’s wish.
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Sessions are typically weekly or bi-weekly and last 50 minutes. Initial intakes are 60 minutes.
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I do provide in-person and virtual sessions. I recommend in-person sessions, especially for play therapy clients. I often meet with parents virtually to accommodate their schedule.
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I do not accept insurance, in order to avoid ever-changing regulations and to protect the privacy of you and your child.
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I do not prescribe medication but I work in tandem with several other specialists including psychiatrists, dieticians, and doctors to ensure your child receives a holistic and comprehensive treatment plan.
