Hi there! I'm a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with 8 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and families. I have worked with those navigating a variety of different life challenges and changes, though my specialty is in dealing with trauma and grief, particularly pre-verbal trauma in early childhood. I believe one of the most powerful statements we can hear is: "I'm with you" and this is what I try to embody for my clients and their families. While everyone's needs are different, I utilize a variety of therapeutic modalities, including CBT, TF-CBT, motivational interviewing, play therapy, sensory interventions, expressive and narrative therapies, and Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Therapy (SMART). In my work with families, I prioritize a wraparound model that helps families build their "village" of support and incorporate them into treatment. I have worked extensively with families navigating the foster care system and adoption and am passionate about permanency work and parent-child attachment. I am also an ordained pastor, have a Masters of Divinity, and am happy to incorporate pastoral counseling and Christian spirituality into treatment if desired.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
My goal when you leave a session is for you to feel heard, valued, and hopeful. We will work together to set goals for your treatment and to track and celebrate your victories. Depending on your presenting concern, we will use specific assessments to monitor our progress. As we get to know one another, I may challenge you to adopt new mindsets and new skills. All along the way, I value your feedback and want you to feel welcome to voice concerns.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
I utilize a holistic approach, including a variety of evidence-based modalities, such as: - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) - Motivational Interviewing - Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Therapy (SMART) - Play Therapy - Wraparound Treatment - Expressive Arts - Narrative Therapy
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
While I work with children, adolescents, and families with a variety of needs, I specialize in working with very young children with trauma (ages 0-7) and their caregivers. I offer a specialized form of body-based therapy that combines play, sensory, and traditional trauma treatments to help children regulate their emotions and unlock the processing of pre-verbal traumatic experiences. I have worked extensively with children in the foster care system and with adoptive families.