Nineteen years as a school counselor means I've seen firsthand how children and teens actually communicate — what makes them clam up and what makes them open up. I bring that understanding to every session: genuine warmth, a little humor, and a real ability to meet kids where they are. I specialize in children and adolescents ages 6-17 navigating anxiety, depression, grief, anger, stress, and family challenges — using CBT, Play Therapy, and Strength-Based approaches.
My approach adapts to the child in front of me — because what works for a six-year-old processing grief looks nothing like what works for a fifteen-year-old managing anxiety.
For younger children, Play Therapy provides a natural, developmentally appropriate way to express and process what they haven't yet found words for. For older children and teens, CBT helps identify and shift the thought patterns driving difficult emotions and behaviors. A Strength-Based lens runs through everything — I start from what your child is already doing well and build from there.
My goal is to help young people grow into a better understanding of themselves and develop tools they can actually use in their everyday lives.
The first session is about getting comfortable. For kids and teens, that means an environment where they don't feel like they're being evaluated or have to perform. I work to make it easy for young people to talk about what they're actually feeling — without pressure and without judgment.
For parents, I take the time to understand what you've been observing, what's concerned you, and what you're hoping changes. Your context matters, and a good therapeutic relationship with your child starts with understanding the full picture.
I keep a very small practice — so every family I work with gets genuine attention from the start.
