Helping Young Hearts Grow and Young Minds Find Their Calm
Every child is their own little universe, and I am here to help their stars shine a bit brighter.
Whether your young one is navigating everyday transitions or a major life shift like a divorce or a new school, I know how much you want them to feel supported and understood. As a parent, watching your young one struggle with overwhelming feelings or complex emotions, school stress, or the weight of bullying and social challenges can be heart-heavy work.
An Act of Profound Love and Advocacy
Please know that you are doing an incredible job navigating these waters. Seeking professional support for your child or teen is an act of profound love, deep courage, and radical advocacy. You do not have to walk this path alone, and neither does your child. Together, we can build a gentle, supportive space where your young one can safely process their world, learn to regulate their nervous system, and simply thrive.
We work side-by-side as collaborative partners to create a personalized path that honors your child's completely unique story across three core areas:
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The Shared Goal: Together, we collaborate to create a custom path that respects your child's unique internal world. We look closely at the complete picture to understand the deep emotional or sensory meaning behind their actions, rather than simply pathologizing behaviors.
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The Low-Pressure Space: Providing a warm environment where they can safely untangle their thoughts, honor their current capacity, and drop the heavy exhaustion of masking. Your child’s comfort is the golden rule of every single session.
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The True Transformation: Giving your child or teen the secure foundation they need to explore their genuine self, find their organic rhythm, and genuinely grow. We focus on clearing away the background noise of self-doubt so they can step forward into life with authentic confidence.
My passion for walking beside children and teens isn't something that just started in a classroom. It has been the heartbeat of my life for as long as I can remember.
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The Early Steps: Long before I became a psychotherapist, my path was shaped by a lifetime of hands-on, real world connection. It started with volunteering on pediatric hospital floors as a teenager, and eventually grew into years of being a daycare teacher, a camp counselor, a dance instructor, a cheer coach, and a trusted nanny.
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What the Kids Taught Me: Those fun, foundational roles taught me the most valuable lesson of my entire career: truly connecting with a young person requires so much more than just cold clinical textbooks. It requires a warm, genuinely playful presence, an open heart, and a radical respect for their unique spirit.
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A Full Spectrum of Care: Over the years, my work has taken me deep into the places where youth need advocacy the most, including schools, community centers, foster care dynamics, and even juvenile halls.
Expertise in the Heaviest Spaces
I have had the profound honor of supporting incredible kids and teens aged five to seventeen across the entire spectrum of life challenges. This includes guiding youth through the daily mazes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and neurodivergence, all the way to providing specialized, trauma-informed crisis care for those navigating the heaviest, toughest human experiences imaginable, such as severe physical and emotional abuse, complex neglect, and human trafficking. No matter how dark the storm has been, or how tired their nervous systems are when they find me, I have seen firsthand that every single child carries an exquisite, deep-rooted capacity for hope and inner strength. They are never broken; they are simply waiting for a space safe enough to let down their guard, drop the mask, and safely discover who they are.
What this Lived Experience Means for Your Family
Because my background is woven from real-world, hands-on connection, our collaborative relationship moves completely away from sterile, intimidating office rules and steps into a language kids actually speak:
Using the Natural Flow of Movement and Play
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Drawing directly on my years as a dance and cheer coach, I know that some of the most profound emotional breakthroughs happen when a child isn't trapped sitting rigidly in a chair. We blend music, art, and intuitive movement into our sessions, which is a seamless, modern fit for neurodivergent kids who find their absolute best focus while in motion.
A Dedicated Advocate in Their Corner
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Whether your child is navigating the exhausting task paralysis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the sensory overload of a loud classroom, or heavy emotional trauma, they will never feel judged or cornered here. I act as a professional, protective ally who helps them untangle the overwhelming expectations of the world so they can find their organic rhythm and confidence.
A Collaborative Bridge Back to You
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While I provide a private, no-masking space for your child or teen to safely build trust and drop their defenses, you are an essential part of this path. We work side-by-side to translate the insights from the therapy room directly into gentle, ease-filled connections at your dinner table.
Absolute Zero Judgment
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This is a space where concepts like being "too loud," "too intense," "too messy," or "too quiet" simply do not exist. I celebrate your child's natural rhythm and focus on building practical strategies that work in harmony with their unique brain, never against it.
Let's Partner Together
Your child does not have to perform wellness, pretend, or sit perfectly still to be deemed safe, valued, or worthy of care in their session.
We leave rigid societal expectations outside so we can focus entirely on what keeps your young one feeling safe, supported, and understood.
If you need a space where we can support your child's intricate brilliance and unique needs, I invite you to step into an environment of absolute zero judgment. I am right here to partner with your family.
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Hi there! 👋 I am so incredibly glad you found your way to my corner of the world. 🌈 I know that the very word therapy can sometimes feel a bit weird, intimidating, or way too serious. 🌀 You might be wondering if this is just another place where an adult is going to lecture you, tell you what to do, or try to change how you act. 🛑
I want to clear the air right now: this space is entirely different. In this room, or on this screen, you are the absolute expert on you. 👑 I am not here to fix you because you are not a broken machine. 🛠️ You are a whole person with your own rhythm, your own brilliance, and your own struggles. My job is simply to help you find your footing, and here, your voice is the most important one in the room. 📢
✨ An Unshakable Promise: You never have to perform or pretend to be anyone else with me. 🤝 Whether you are feeling loud, quiet, completely overwhelmed, or just totally over it, you are allowed to show up exactly as you are. 🤍
📋 What to Expect When We Hang Out 🎯
We are an equal team, and that means we do things a little differently around here to make sure your nervous system feels safe and respected. Adults often act like they know absolutely everything, but you are the only one who is actually living your life. 🎒 Because of that, you are the leader of your path through these core areas:
You Always Have a Say 🚦 We decide together how to spend our time. If you want to use art, music, writing, or movement to express yourself instead of just sitting and talking face-to-face, we do that. 🎨 There is no one-size-fits-all here. 🧩 If we are trying something in therapy that feels uncomfortable, deeply boring, or just plain useless, please tell me! 🗣️ You will never hurt my feelings, I promise. Telling me what isn't working is one of the bravest things you can do, and it gives us permission to shift directions.
How to Give Me the Clear Signal 🚥 If you want to change directions during our time together, you don't have to worry about being polite or awkward. You can use any of these quick shifts on the fly:
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The Yellow Light 🟡 Simply say that you are not really feeling this topic today. We will immediately pause and back off. 🛑
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The Switch 🔄 Just ask if we can try doing something else while we talk, like drawing, listening to music, or using a fidget. 🛹 The answer will always be yes. 💥
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The Honesty Check 📊 At the very end of our sessions, I am going to ask you how it went. If the session was a two out of ten, say it straight out! 🎯
This is a True No-Masking Zone 🔓 You don't have to sit perfectly still to prove you are listening to me. If your brain needs to fidget, pace the room, doodle, or look away while you are thinking through a heavy thought, please do it! ⚡ That is a healthy way for your nervous system to focus and process things. 🧠
What You Say Stays Here 🔒 Real privacy is everything to me. 💎 What we talk about is just between us. The only exception to this rule is if I am worried that you or someone else is in immediate danger, because keeping you safe will always be my number one priority. 🛡️
🤍 Always On Your Team 📣
Think of me as a professional ally in your corner—I’ve always got your back. 🦹🏽♀️ I'm here to help you untangle all the rigid rules and impossible standards that the world, school, or social media throws at you so you can finally figure out who you actually want to be. 🗺️
There is no performance, no pretending, and absolutely no judgment here. 🌌 If you need a space where you can feel secure and comfortable in your own skin, I am right here. Let's figure things out together. ✨
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I am so incredibly glad you are here. Making the decision to seek therapy for your child or teen is an exceptionally brave, loving, and powerful step. Let's be entirely honest: parenting is hard. It is complex, exhausting, and often leaves us with far more questions than answers. Wanting extra support for your child is never a sign that something is wrong with your parenting; it is proof that you are deeply invested in their growth, safety, and well-being.
Children and teens do not exist in a vacuum. They are deeply impacted by their entire environment—their family, their school, and their social circles. Because of this, we look at the whole ecosystem of their life. While I prioritize creating a private, no-masking space for your child to build trust, you remain an essential part of the process. I view my role as a supportive partner in your corner, not an outside clinical expert.
For therapy to feel like a true safe harbor, your child needs to know their words are private, but you will never be left in the dark. We will have regular check-ins to share general progress, discuss supportive strategies for home, and ensure we are all speaking the exact same language of care. We work side-by-side to bridge the gap between what happens in the therapy room and what happens at your dinner table.
Let's Partner Together
Your child does not have to perform wellness, pretend, or sit perfectly still to be deemed safe, valued, or worthy of care in their session.
We leave rigid societal expectations outside so we can focus entirely on what keeps your young one feeling safe, supported, and understood.
If you need a space where we can support your child's intricate brilliance and unique needs, I invite you to step into an environment of absolute zero judgment. I am right here to partner with your family.
Let's talk. No pressure, just a safe space to start.
For many children and teens, school and social life can feel like one long, exhausting performance. They often spend their entire day masking, which means suppressing their natural energy, physical fidgets, and communication styles just to fit into a rigid world. By the time they return home to you, they are completely exhausted, overwhelmed, and running on empty.
In my practice, I offer a true no-masking zone. This is a protected, gentle space where your child or teen is explicitly and warmly invited to lay down the pressure to act typical and just be. Because kids grow and change so much between the ages of 6 and 17, this space is never a one-size-fits-all approach. I tailor how we connect to match exactly where your child is in their unique development:
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For Younger Children (like a 6-year-old): Our sessions are built around creative play, somatic movement, and storytelling. Children do not naturally sit on a couch and talk through their stress; play is their native language. We use gentle, body-first tools to help them understand overwhelming feelings, giving them fun, practical ways to find their calm.
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For Teenagers (like a 14-year-old): The sessions shift into a collaborative partnership focused on identity, peer relationships, and boundary exploration. It becomes a reliable landing pad where they can safely unpack the exhausting pressures of school, social media, and the future. We focus on building real-world self-advocacy skills, honoring their need for independence while helping them safely reconnect with their bodies.
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Let's Partner Together
Your child does not have to perform wellness, pretend, or sit perfectly still to be deemed safe, valued, or worthy of care in their session.
We leave rigid societal expectations outside so we can focus entirely on what keeps your young one feeling safe, supported, and understood.
If you need a space where we can support your child's intricate brilliance and unique needs, I invite you to step into an environment of absolute zero judgment. I am right here to partner with your family.
Let's talk. No pressure, just a safe space to start.
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Our therapeutic environment belongs entirely to your child’s actual nervous system. I intentionally step away from simply judging, charting, or reacting to outward behavioral symptoms, and instead look beneath the surface to address the real underlying emotional, sensory, and neurodivergent needs. We design an experience that respects your child nervous system, honors their voice, and natural traits as assets through five core pillars:
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The Wisdom of Play and Art
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Intentionally utilizing music, drawing, and creative play to help children safely express and untangle complex emotions that traditional words cannot always capture. We lean into their natural language, ensuring they never feel pressured to perform a traditional conversation.
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Full Permission to Stay in Motion
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Drawing directly on my years as a dance and cheer coach, I know that some of the most profound emotional breakthroughs happen when a child isn't trapped sitting rigidly in a chair. Fidgeting is a vital, brilliant approach for nervous system regulation and focus. Whether they need to pace the office, use sensory toys, lounge on the floor, or cuddle a pet over a telehealth screen, movement is always welcomed.
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Radical Sensory Safety and Comfort
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Physical comfort is our absolute priority, never a disruption. If the office lights are too piercing or a chair feels uncomfortable, we adjust. I deeply understand the unique nuances of digital sensory overload, and I am always happy to dim screen brightness or take eye-contact breaks during telehealth sessions to ensure the experience feels supportive, not draining.
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Empowered Advocacy and Self-Expression
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Helping young people confidently find and trust their own internal voice. We focus on honoring their natural wiring, enhancing real-world social confidence, and building practical strategies to help them clearly express their needs, stand up for their boundaries, and navigate school and digital pressures without losing their authentic self.
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Absolute Zero Judgment
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This is a space where concepts like being "too loud," "too intense," "too messy," or "too quiet" simply do not exist. I celebrate your child's natural rhythm and focus on building practical strategies that work in harmony with their unique brain, never against it.
-
Let's Partner Together
Your child does not have to perform wellness, pretend, or sit perfectly still to be deemed safe, valued, or worthy of care in their session.
We leave rigid societal expectations outside so we can focus entirely on what keeps your young one feeling safe, supported, and understood.
If you need a space where we can support your child's intricate brilliance and unique needs, I invite you to step into an environment of absolute zero judgment. I am right here to partner with your family.
Let's talk. No pressure, just a safe space to start.
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getting started
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Initial Contact: Reaching Out for Your Child
I understand that seeking support for your child or teen can feel like a big step, but don't worry—we’ll work together to find a pace and approach that suits them perfectly. Whether you’re ready to schedule or just have a few questions about how I can help your child, feel free to reach out. We can have a quick 20-minute chat to see if this is the right path for your family. (And if you have questions about insurance or costs, you can check out my FAQs & Rates for more info!)
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Free Consultation: The "Vibe Check"
This is a complimentary, 20-minute "super chill" phone chat. You can tell me a bit about what’s going on and ask any questions you have floating around. Think of it as a low-pressure meet-and-greet to see if we’re a good match.
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Parent Intake: Sharing the Story
Next, we’ll have 1–2 sessions just for you. This is a private space to talk openly about your child’s history, family dynamics, and the challenges you’re facing. We’ll begin building our "game plan" together so you feel supported from day one.
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First Sessions: Getting Your Child Comfortable
My mission is to make your child feel safe and seen.
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For ages 5–8: I usually have parents join for the first 15–20 minutes to help everyone get into a good groove.
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For ages 9+: It’s totally up to your family if you’d like to join or let your child take this step solo.
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Tip: Not sure how to tell your child they’re starting therapy? Just ask—I’m happy to give you some low-pressure ways to bring it up!
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Ongoing Sessions: Growing Together
Once we’ve built a foundation, the teamwork continues. I’ll touch base with you regularly to share what I’m noticing and refine our goals. Most importantly, we keep your child’s voice at the center of the plan. Together, we create a supportive environment where they can truly flourish. Let's dive in!