Approach to therapy

My approach to therapy is centered around helping children and families better understand themselves, feel more connected, and build tools they can use in everyday life. With a background in education, school counseling, therapy, mindfulness, and parent coaching, I tend to look at the whole picture rather than focusing on just one behavior or challenge.

I use a variety of approaches depending on each child's needs, including: 

• Play Therapy

• EMDR

• Sandtray

• Theraplay

• PCIT techniques

• ACT 

• IFS strategies

• Mindfulness and breathwork

• Parent Coaching Institute (PCI) model

• I offer Circle of Security Parenting (COSP) classes periodically

For children, therapy doesn't always happen through sitting and talking. Often, play, creativity, movement, and connection provide a safer and more natural way for them to express what they are feeling and work through difficult experiences.

My goal is to create a space where children feel safe, understood, and accepted while also helping them build greater awareness of their thoughts, feelings, bodies, and strengths.

Client focus and style

I primarily work with children ages 7+ and the adults who care for them. My style is warm, collaborative, and genuine. I want children to feel comfortable being themselves and to know that therapy is a place where they can talk, play, be silly, work through hard things, and feel supported.

I help children learn to better understand their emotions, recognize how feelings show up in their bodies, and develop healthier ways of responding when things feel overwhelming. We may work on noticing tricky thoughts, building coping skills, practicing self-compassion, or simply finding words and other ways to express experiences that are difficult to explain.

I believe children already have many strengths within them, and therapy can help them better recognize and use those strengths.

How clients reach goals

I believe children do best when the important adults in their lives feel supported too. Because of that, I often incorporate parent coaching and collaboration into the therapeutic process.

Parents know their children best, and my role is not to tell parents how to parent. Instead, I work alongside them to better understand what may be underneath challenging behaviors and to offer practical tools they can use at home.

Drawing from approaches such as Circle of Security, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and parent coaching techniques, I help caregivers strengthen connection, build confidence, and create more calm and consistency within the family. When children and caregivers have a shared understanding and helpful tools, the work we do in therapy is more likely to carry over into everyday life.

Personal journey and first session

My path into this work began long before I became a therapist. Through my own life experiences, I learned how meaningful it can be to have someone offer understanding, support, and a safe place to work through difficult things. That eventually led me into education, school counseling, and mental health.

Over the years, my work has continued to grow and evolve, but one thing has remained the same: I believe that being truly seen, understood, and supported can make a meaningful difference. I love helping children make sense of their experiences through play, mindfulness, creativity, and connection, while also supporting the parents and caregivers who are walking alongside them.

In our first session, my focus is on getting to know you and your child. I want to hear your story, understand what has been challenging, and learn about your family's strengths, values, and hopes. Most importantly, I want both you and your child to leave feeling comfortable, understood, and hopeful about the process ahead.