embark. embrace. evolve.
My Journey
Welcome to where your child's emotional well-being is my top priority. That's why I strive to make sure your child feels supported and understood on their unique journey. Life can throw all sorts of challenges at them, and whether those are just small bumps in the road or big life changes, I'm here to help them navigate through it all.
You might be wondering how I got into this field. Well, it all started with a love for working with kids. I remember volunteering on the pediatric floor at a hospital when I was a teenager—such a rewarding experience! Since then, I’ve worn many hats, from volunteering on the pediatric floor of my local hospital during my teenage years to being a dance instructor and cheer coach to working as a nanny in college and graduate school. All these roles have allowed me to connect with kids in really meaningful ways, helping them grow not just emotionally, but socially too.
I’ve worked in all sorts of places, like schools, community centers, and even juvenile halls, supporting kids aged 5 to 17. My focus is on helping with things like neurodivergence, ADHD, and anxiety, and I guide young people through big life changes like divorce or other life transitions. I also provide support for those who've experienced things like abuse or trafficking. It's tough stuff, but I believe in offering a compassionate ear and helping them find their inner strength and hope.
So, if you’re looking for someone to walk alongside your child on their journey, I’d love to be that person. Let’s help them thrive together. What do you think?
Holistic & Integrative Therapist
You know how each child is their own little universe? That's exactly how I approach therapy. I start by making sure your child really feels heard and valued, using something called Person Centered Therapy. It’s all about putting them in the driver’s seat of their own healing journey.
I like to think of the whole picture—how their physical, emotional, mental, social, and even environmental factors all play a role in who they are. This way, we can tailor our sessions to fit your child’s unique needs. Imagine blending traditional therapy methods with some fresh, creative ones—like art, music, or play—that’s what we do! It’s about making therapy not just effective but also engaging and fun.
My goal is to empower your child, helping them take an active role in their healing. We’ll dive into talk therapy, and also explore other ways like play or art to help them express themselves. It’s all about uncovering their thoughts and feelings in a way that feels natural to them.
When we work together, it’s a safe space where your child can untangle their thoughts and emotions. I’m here to listen—really listen—and to help them find their voice. Sometimes, life throws challenges that can mix up with school or health issues, and we’ll tackle those together too. I’ll be asking questions and reflecting back what I hear to make sure we’re truly understanding each other.
If you’re curious about all the different ways we can work together, feel free to check out my Services page for more details. I’d love to chat more about how we can support your child’s journey!
Integrative therapy is kind of like having a personalized toolkit for your child. Instead of sticking to just one way of doing things, this approach mixes and matches different therapy techniques and evidence based methods based on what your child really needs. It’s super flexible and responsive, which means we can try out different things and see what clicks best with them. It’s all about making sure the therapy is as effective and comfortable as possible for your child, rather than just following one strict method. Promising, right?
Holistic therapy centers on your child's overall well-being, attending to their physical, emotional, mental, social, and environmental health. By doing so, we create a safe and nurturing space where they can grow and thrive. It's about nurturing every aspect of their life, ensuring they lead a balanced and fulfilling existence. Doesn't that sound wonderful?
I truly believe every child/teen should have a place where they feel totally comfortable to open up about what’s going on in their head and heart. It’s super important for them to have a spot where they can just be themselves without any worries. When it comes to therapy, I’m all about putting your child in the driver’s seat. We’ll team up and make sure they’re really involved in their own journey. I see this as a partnership between us, where your child gets to speak up and have a say in how things go. I’m here to really listen and understand what makes them tick and help them tackle any challenges they might be facing. It’s all about empowering them to take charge of their own path.
I believe in getting to the root of what's going on so we can tackle any issues they're facing. I like to create a treatment plan that's all about easing their pain, reducing stress, and boosting their self-confidence and focus. It's all about helping them grow and become more resilient, and I'm excited to be part of their journey to a brighter future.
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Emotional Regulation: We work on ways to manage feelings like anxiety, stress, and even the blues. It's about helping them feel more in control and less doubtful about themselves.
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Coping Skills: I encourage finding healthy ways to cope that can replace things like self-harm or substance use. It's all about discovering positive outlets.
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Personal Growth: Building self-esteem is key, along with feeling like they belong and can take on responsibilities. We also tackle managing anger and reining in impulsive actions.
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Trauma Support: If they've been through tough times, like losing someone close or dealing with abuse, I'm here to help them work through that.
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Communication & Relationships: We focus on expressing themselves the right way and improving how they connect with friends, family, and even adults like teachers.
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Life Transitions: Big changes can be hard, so I offer support to navigate shifts in family or community life.
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Digital Wellness: In today's world, developing healthy online habits is super important, and we work on building those together.
Overall, I'm here to support them every step of the way and help them grow into their best selves.
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When your child comes in for a session with me, it's all about making them feel comfortable and understood. I like to think of our time together as a team effort, where we figure out what works best for them. Depending on what they need, I might use some techniques from CBT to help them see things in a more stabilizing and/or positive light or dive into some deeper psychodynamic stuff to boost their self-awareness.
But really, it's all about your child/teen. I make sure each session is tailored to what they enjoy and connect with—whether it's through play, art, music, or writing, alongside having good, meaningful chats. The goal is to create a safe space where they can talk about what's bothering them, whether it's anxiety, depression, or past trauma.
By taking this approach, I hope to not only help them manage their emotions better but also give them the tools they need to tackle problems head-on, skills they’ll carry with them as they grow.
My main focus is really getting to the heart of what's going on with your child's emotions. I like to take a good look at what's underneath any stress or anxiety they might be feeling.
Once we figure that out, we can come up with a personalized plan that's all about making them feel stabalized & healthy—less pain and stress, for sure, but also boosting their self-esteem and helping them concentrate better. My ultimate aim is to support their growth and help them become more resilient. I'm really excited to be a part of their journey and guide them toward a brighter, happier future!
getting started
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Initial Contact
I understand that starting therapy can feel a bit overwhelming, but don't worry, we’ll work together to find a pace and approach that suits your child perfectly. Whether you're thinking about having your child start therapy or just have some questions, feel free to reach out. We can have a quick 15-minute chat to see if this is the right path for you both. And if you have any questions about insurance or costs, you can check out my FAQs for more info. Looking forward to connecting!
02
Free Consultation Call
Just to give you a heads-up about what to expect during the 15-minute complimentary phone chat—it’s super chill. Basically, we’ll have a brief conversation where you can tell me a bit about what’s brought you to consider therapy for your child. It’s also a great chance to ask any questions you might have or share any worries about the whole therapy process. Think of it as a little meet-and-greet to get comfortable and clear up any questions you might have floating around. Can’t wait to chat with you!
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Intake 1-2 Sessions - Parent(s)/Guardian(s)
I totally get how important it is for you to feel listened to, especially when it’s about your child’s well-being. Our intake sessions are really just a chance for you to open up about your child’s story in a safe and private space without them. We’ll chat about your family dynamics and whatever challenges you’re up against. Plus, I’ll share some initial thoughts and suggest possible next steps, so we can figure out a game plan together. Let’s team up to support your child’s mental health and help them grow emotionally. Sound good?
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Initial 1-2 Sessions - Child/Teen
My whole mission is to create a truly safe & supportive space for kids of any age. When I'm working with the little ones, like between 5 and 8 years old, I like to have parents or guardians come along for the first 15 to 20 minutes. It helps everyone feel comfortable and gets us all into a good groove.
Now, when it comes to preteens and older kids, like 9 and up, it's totally up to your family whether you want to join in or let your child take this step on their own. I really believe in having open chats about what therapy is all about—keeping it all clear & simple—so there aren't any surprises. This helps make kids feel more at ease.
And hey, if you're wondering how to bring up the topic of therapy with your child, I’m here for you. Just ask, and I'll be glad to help out with some tips!
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Subsequent Sessions - Ongoing
So, here's the deal with how I approach working with your child's mental health—it's all about teamwork. After we’ve had a few sessions to get to know each other, I'll touch base with you to chat about what I've noticed and what I think we should aim for in therapy. We’re in this together, and I really want to make sure we’re listening to what your child has to say too. Their thoughts & ideas are super important in creating a plan that fits them just right. Together, we can create a warm & supportive environment that helps your child flourish and feel understood throughout their therapy journey. Sound good? Let’s dive in!