Welcome! I'm Alana, a Licensed Marriage a therapist dedicated to helping others navigate unforeseen complexity and stress. Early in life, I faced several difficult experiences that nearly turned my life upside-down. Thankfully, I'd been introduced to therapy at a young age which provided me with new perspectives, acceptance, and reinforced me with a sense of confident optimism - my goal in my practice is to instill those same benefits in you.
To start, I’ll ask questions about your family’s history, the challenges you’re facing, and what you’d like to achieve in our time together. From there, we’ll focus on strategies and techniques to help your child cope with difficulties, process trauma, overcome challenges, and bring more joy and stability to your daily lives. I understand that seeking help can feel overwhelming, but the impact of doing so can be life-changing for both children and parents. If you believe I might be a good fit for your family’s needs, please reach out. I would be honored to support you on your healing journey.
One of my greatest strengths as a provider is my ability to create a safe, trusting environment where children and families feel heard, understood, and supported. I work to meet each individual where they are, tailoring my approach to their unique needs, backgrounds, and experiences. Another strength is my deep understanding of trauma and its impact on emotional regulation, behavior, and relationships. This allows me to use trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate techniques that help children and families build resilience and coping skills. I also believe my ability to collaborate with caregivers is a key strength. By working together with parents and families, I empower them with practical tools and strategies that create lasting, positive change. My empathetic, strengths-based approach allows me to connect with clients in a meaningful way, helping them move forward on their healing journey. Finally, my flexibility and patience in working with children and families dealing with complex issues enables me to navigate challenges with care, creativity, and persistence.
I am best positioned to work with children and families who have experienced trauma, including those affected by abuse, neglect, foster care, adoption, family separation, and other adverse experiences. I understand the impact of trauma on emotional regulation, attachment, and behavior, and I create a safe, supportive space where healing can begin. I work well with children who struggle with anxiety, emotional outbursts, trust issues, or difficulty feeling safe in relationships. I also support parents and caregivers in understanding trauma’s effects and developing strategies to strengthen attachment, communication, and structure at home. Using a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach, I tailor therapy to each child and family’s unique needs, helping them build resilience, regulate emotions, and develop healthy relationships. My goal is to empower families with the tools and understanding they need to heal and grow together.
I integrate trauma-informed care by recognizing the impact of trauma on children and families and creating a safe, supportive space for healing. My approach emphasizes safety, trust, empowerment, and cultural sensitivity while fostering resilience. How I Apply It in Therapy: Safety & Trust: I create a predictable, nonjudgmental environment where children and families feel secure, heard, and respected. Recognizing Trauma Responses: I use developmentally appropriate techniques like play, storytelling, and sensory regulation to help children process emotions. Empowerment & Choice: I provide children and caregivers with tools to build self-efficacy, offering choices to foster autonomy and control over their healing. Strengths-Based Approach: I highlight family strengths and resilience, reinforcing positive coping skills and healthy attachment. Mind-Body Regulation: I incorporate breathwork, mindfulness, movement, and sensory-based interventions to support emotional regulation. Cultural Sensitivity: I tailor therapy to each family’s background and values, ensuring interventions are inclusive and developmentally appropriate. Family Support & Relationships: I help caregivers understand trauma’s effects, strengthen parent-child connections, and develop strategies for nurturing, structured environments. My goal is to support children and families in processing trauma at their own pace while building emotional resilience, healthy relationships, and long-term coping skills.