Children often express their feelings through behaviors, rather than with words. I help parents and children to understand why behaviors are occurring and the underlying feelings that are causing them.

I work with parents and children to have healthier ways to express their feelings through individual therapy, play therapy, and parent guidance. Each child and family is unique — I work with parents and children to determine the best way to help address their concerns.

Individual therapy sessions are typically 45-minutes once or twice a week and focus on addressing a specific symptom or concern through talking and skill building. We will work together to identify what you would like to achieve in therapy. It is important for children to know that therapy is a safe and confidential place to address difficult thoughts and feelings. Although the primary work may be with the child, parents play an essential role in child and adolescent therapeutic work — check-ins and updates at the beginning or end of the session are important to keep parents included in the process. While all therapeutic work is confidential, I will always inform parents about any safety concerns.

Play therapy sessions are typically 45-minutes once or twice a week. Although play is usually fun, children are also doing hard and important work. It is one of the easiest ways for young children to express feelings, work through difficult emotions and behaviors, and to better understand the feelings and behaviors. Imaginative play allows children a safe way to express both positive and negative feelings and to test some limits with less worry of negative consequences. Play therapy can help children communicate better, change their behavior, develop problem-solving skills, and relate to others in positive ways.

Parent guidance sessions are typically 45 minutes and scheduled as needed. Caregivers play a very important role in a child’s treatment. Parent guidance sessions provide an opportunity for caregivers to learn new skills and better strategies for communicating with your child, managing and disciplining behaviors, and understanding age-appropriate expectations.