Families today are under a great deal of pressure, and many parents and children feel overwhelmed as a result. When stress builds over time, relationships can suffer—especially within families. I believe understanding these patterns is one of the most important steps toward meaningful change. I bring over 38 years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. I offer a supportive, strength-based space where people can slow down, make sense of what’s happening, and begin to move forward with greater clarity and confidence. I work with ADHD, anxiety, depression, school-related concerns, divorce, and family relationship challenges. My approach is thoughtful and direct while remaining respectful and collaborative. I view children’s struggles within the context of their families and believe lasting change happens when caregivers are actively involved and supported.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Our first session is an opportunity for you to share what has led you to seek therapy at this point in your life. I will also be interested in understanding what you have already tried and what your journey has looked like so far. While it may sound cliché, our early experiences truly do influence who we become. Research on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) has helped confirm how early stress and trauma can shape later patterns. Understanding this context can be both validating and empowering. Most importantly, this is your treatment. We will focus on the concerns and goals that matter most to you, and work together at a pace that feels appropriate and respectful.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
Healthy connection—within families, relationships, and ourselves—is essential for well-being. If you are looking to improve relationships with your parents, your children, your partner, or even reconnect with yourself, I encourage you to reach out. I believe meaningful change is possible, and I am confident in my ability to help guide that process. What Makes Me Different I take a family-systems approach and do not view a child’s concerns in isolation. I help families recognize patterns shaped by early experiences, stress, and relationships. My style is honest, grounded, and purposeful, with a focus on understanding and lasting change rather than quick fixes. I tailor therapy to the needs of each individual and family, using different therapeutic approaches depending on the concerns being addressed. This allows treatment to remain flexible, thoughtful, and responsive over time.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I work with children beginning at the elementary school age through adulthood. When working with children, parent or caregiver involvement is an essential part of treatment, as family support plays a key role in lasting change.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. By recognizing how thoughts influence feelings—and how those feelings drive choices—clients gain tools to respond differently and feel more in control. Understanding this connection is often an important step in feeling better and making meaningful change.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy helps individuals develop skills for emotional regulation, especially when strong emotional responses have developed as a way to cope with stress or past experiences. Rather than viewing emotions as a problem, DBT recognizes them as important signals from the nervous system. This approach helps clients build skills to tolerate distress, improve emotional balance, and respond thoughtfully instead of reacting automatically. Over time, these skills support greater stability, healthier relationships, and increased self-understanding.
EMDR
I use EMDR along a continuum, beginning with positive resourcing to promote relaxation, safety, and emotional stability. From there, EMDR can help resolve traumatic or distressing experiences that feel “stuck” and difficult to move into the past. Bilateral stimulation supports focus, grounding, and the brain’s natural ability to heal.
Motivational Interviewing
I believe people are more likely to make lasting changes when they discover their own reasons for change. Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative approach that helps clients explore motivation, resolve ambivalence, and build confidence in their ability to move forward. The process emphasizes partnership and respect rather than pressure or judgment.
Strength-Based
My experience has shown me that people are incredibly resilient, especially considering what they have survived. Many clients are far harder on themselves than they deserve to be. A strength-based approach focuses on recognizing resilience, honoring survival, and identifying the strengths that already exist. From there, clients can build toward choices that reflect who they want to become, rather than being defined by what they were given.