In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Your first session is designed to be welcoming, informative, and safe, whether you are an adult, a teen, a child (6+), or a caregiver bringing a child or teen to therapy. I understand that stepping into therapy for the first time—or even returning after past experiences—can feel overwhelming or uncertain. You may be unsure what to expect, nervous about sharing personal details, or curious about how therapy will help you or your child navigate stress, emotions, and life challenges. My goal for the first session is to create a supportive, grounding space where each client feels seen, understood, and respected. During the first session, we typically begin by exploring the reasons for seeking therapy. For adults, this may include challenges related to anxiety, stress, life transitions, low mood, or relationship difficulties. For teens and children, the discussion may focus on school-related stress, friendships, social-emotional challenges, behavioral patterns, or family dynamics. Children often benefit from a playful, interactive introduction to therapy, such as drawing, storytelling, or structured activities, while teens and adults may engage in reflective dialogue or mindfulness exercises. Regardless of age, the primary goal is to understand the client’s experiences and begin building trust. We will also review current coping strategies, strengths, and challenges. Many clients come into therapy already using certain methods to manage stress or emotions, and part of the first session involves identifying what works, what doesn’t, and where additional support is needed. For children and teens, this may include helping them identify feelings, practice basic coping strategies, or establish routines that support emotional regulation. Adults and caregivers often benefit from exploring stress management strategies, mindfulness techniques, and ways to maintain balance amidst competing responsibilities. A key component of the first session is clarifying the goals and structure of therapy. I provide an overview of my trauma-informed approach, emphasizing safety, pacing, and skill-building. I explain that while we may touch on challenging experiences, I do not provide intensive trauma processing; instead, we focus on practical strategies, emotional awareness, and resilience-building. This ensures that all clients, whether children, teens, or adults, understand what to expect and feel empowered to participate at a level that is right for them. For those interested, we also discuss experiential and nature-based approaches, including equine-assisted therapy. Many children, teens, and adults find that interacting with horses provides a unique opportunity to practice communication, emotional regulation, boundaries, and confidence in a real-world, embodied way. Nature-based sessions offer grounding, perspective, and a sense of calm, creating a complementary space to traditional talk therapy. During the first session, we explore whether these modalities feel like a good fit and how they can be incorporated safely and effectively. Another important part of the first session is discussing logistics and expectations, including session frequency, duration, and scheduling, as well as communication preferences and policies on cancellations or missed sessions. For families, this may also include discussing ways parents or caregivers can support therapy goals at home. My aim is to ensure that all clients and families feel informed and comfortable with the structure, so that administrative concerns do not interfere with the therapeutic process. Throughout the session, I prioritize building rapport and trust. For children and teens, this often involves playful interaction, structured activities, and positive reinforcement, helping them feel safe and engaged. For adults, the focus is on reflective dialogue, validating experiences, and collaboratively identifying goals. In all cases, the first session sets the foundation for a therapeutic relationship built on mutual respect, empathy, and collaboration. By the end of the first session, clients and families usually leave with a sense of clarity, support, and direction. They know what therapy will look like, understand how we will work together, and feel that their needs and goals are central to the process. Many clients experience relief simply from being heard and understood, and this initial connection often fosters hope and motivation for change. Finally, the first session is about laying the groundwork for ongoing growth and skill-building. For children and teens, this may involve identifying initial coping skills or emotional awareness strategies to practice between sessions. For adults, we begin exploring regulation, reflection, and goal-setting that will guide subsequent sessions. Equine-assisted or nature-based activities, if chosen, provide additional opportunities to integrate experiential learning and reflection in a meaningful, tangible way. In summary, your first session is a collaborative, paced, and individualized experience. Whether you are an adult, teen, child, or caregiver, we focus on establishing trust, clarifying goals, introducing coping skills, and exploring whether experiential or nature-based therapy approaches feel right for you. This session is the first step toward empowerment, resilience, and practical skill-building, creating a strong foundation for the work ahead.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my ability to connect with clients across the lifespan—from children as young as six, through teens, adults, and caregivers—and provide a safe, supportive, and individualized space for growth. I understand that each client comes with unique experiences, challenges, and goals, and I prioritize tailoring therapy to meet those needs in a way that is engaging, respectful, and empowering. I excel at building rapport and trust quickly, which is essential for children and teens who may feel nervous or uncertain about therapy, as well as adults and caregivers who may have had previous experiences with mental health care. For children, I often incorporate play, creative activities, structured exercises, and interactive games that allow them to express feelings and develop coping skills in a developmentally appropriate way. For teens, I blend reflective conversation, experiential exercises, and skill-building to help them navigate stress, relationships, and identity exploration. Adults and caregivers often benefit from a combination of insight-oriented reflection and practical strategies, allowing them to balance personal growth with daily responsibilities. Across all ages, my focus is on creating a supportive space where clients feel safe, understood, and empowered to participate at their own pace. Another core strength is my ability to integrate trauma-informed care with practical skills-based strategies and experiential approaches. While I do not provide intensive trauma processing, I am highly attuned to how past experiences, stressors, and relational patterns can influence present-day functioning. I work with clients to identify triggers, understand emotional responses, and build tools for regulation and resilience. For children and teens, this may involve modeling coping strategies, practicing emotional expression through play, or engaging in structured skill-building exercises. For adults, therapy may include mindfulness, reflection, cognitive strategies, and problem-solving skills. A distinctive aspect of my practice is my ability to incorporate nature-based and equine-assisted therapy. Many clients—children, teens, and adults—benefit from working with horses or spending time in nature as part of their therapeutic journey. Horses provide immediate, nonverbal feedback that helps clients practice communication, boundaries, trust, and emotional regulation in a safe, interactive way. Nature-based sessions offer grounding, perspective, and opportunities for reflection, fostering connection with self and environment. My strength lies in knowing how to adapt these experiential methods to meet each client’s developmental level, comfort, and goals, enhancing engagement and learning in ways traditional talk therapy alone may not achieve. I also bring a strong focus on skill-building and practical strategies. Many of my clients—whether children, teens, or adults—arrive with stress, anxiety, or difficulty managing emotions. My approach emphasizes coping strategies, emotional regulation tools, mindfulness, and problem-solving techniques that can be applied in daily life. For young clients, this may involve interactive exercises, games, or modeling strategies, while adults may focus on reflective practice, journaling, or structured interventions. Across all ages, these tools are designed to empower clients to navigate challenges more confidently and build resilience. Collaboration is another key strength. I view therapy as a partnership, where clients actively participate in setting goals, identifying strategies, and tracking progress. For children and teens, I often include caregivers in the process, providing guidance on how to reinforce skills at home, foster positive communication, and support emotional growth. Adults and caregivers benefit from collaborative goal-setting, practical strategies, and reflective exercises that align with their personal values and life demands. This collaborative approach ensures that therapy is tailored, relevant, and meaningful, allowing clients to see tangible progress over time. I am also highly adaptable, recognizing that every client responds differently to interventions. Some clients thrive with structured, skills-based sessions, while others benefit from reflective, experiential, or creative approaches. This adaptability is particularly valuable when working across age groups, as children, teens, and adults may require different pacing, language, or techniques. My ability to adjust in real-time, read cues, and respond to client needs is a key component of my effectiveness. Finally, one of my greatest strengths is my ability to hold hope, validation, and encouragement throughout the therapeutic process. I provide a steady, supportive presence while helping clients build self-awareness, emotional regulation, and practical coping skills. Clients often express that they feel seen, understood, and empowered in a way that motivates them to continue working toward growth, even when progress feels slow or challenging. In summary, my greatest strengths include: Connecting with clients of all ages (children 6+, teens, adults, caregivers) Trauma-informed care, focusing on safety, pacing, and skill-building Experiential and nature-based approaches, including equine-assisted therapy Practical skill-building for emotional regulation, stress management, and resilience Collaboration and adaptability, ensuring therapy meets each client’s developmental level and goals Validation, hope, and empowerment, fostering confidence and personal growth These strengths allow clients to feel supported, gain insight, practice tangible skills, and experience meaningful change. By blending traditional, experiential, and innovative approaches, I provide a therapeutic experience that is engaging, effective, and tailored to the individual needs of each client, regardless of age.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

My ideal client is someone who is ready to engage in therapy in a collaborative, supportive, and developmentally appropriate way. This includes children (ages 6 and up), teens, adults, and caregivers. Many clients come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or emotionally stretched, even if they appear to be managing responsibilities, relationships, or school successfully on the outside. They are seeking relief from stress, anxiety, low mood, or difficulty regulating emotions, and they want practical strategies, reflective support, and a safe space to explore their experiences. For children, my ideal clients are those who may be navigating school challenges, social-emotional struggles, behavioral concerns, or family dynamics. Children benefit from playful, creative, and experiential approaches, and they thrive in an environment where therapy is engaging, predictable, and safe. My ideal young clients are curious, willing to try interactive exercises, and ready to learn skills for emotional awareness, coping, and regulation. Caregivers are often active participants in the process, collaborating with me to reinforce strategies at home and support consistent emotional growth. Teens who are ideal clients often experience stress related to academics, social relationships, self-identity, or family dynamics. They may feel misunderstood or isolated and benefit from a reflective, collaborative, and experiential approach. Teens respond well when therapy integrates practical strategies for coping with stress and regulating emotions, alongside opportunities for self-exploration and reflection. Nature-based and equine-assisted interventions can be especially effective for this age group, offering a hands-on, embodied way to practice communication, self-awareness, and confidence. Adult clients who thrive in my practice are those who are functioning in their roles—whether as professionals, parents, caregivers, or students—but feel overwhelmed, anxious, or emotionally depleted. Many adults seek therapy to learn practical strategies for managing stress, navigating life transitions, improving relationships, and fostering personal growth. Ideal adult clients value collaboration, reflection, and the integration of experiential or nature-based practices when appropriate. They are motivated to build skills, understand patterns in their thoughts and emotions, and gain tools for long-term resilience. Caregivers are also among my ideal clients. They may seek therapy because they are juggling multiple responsibilities, managing family dynamics, or supporting a child or teen with emotional or behavioral challenges. These clients are interested in developing strategies to maintain their own emotional balance, communicate effectively, and model coping skills for the family. They often find that participating alongside a child or teen in therapy—or supporting their child’s engagement with equine-assisted or nature-based approaches—enhances the effectiveness of the work and strengthens family dynamics. Across all ages, my ideal clients value safety, pacing, and trauma-informed care. They want therapy that is collaborative, flexible, and responsive to their needs and goals. They appreciate a therapist who listens deeply, validates their experiences, and adapts strategies to their developmental level, personality, and comfort. Clients who are willing to actively participate in skill-building exercises, reflection, and experiential activities tend to thrive in my practice. Equine-assisted and nature-based therapy approaches are particularly appealing to clients who benefit from experiential, hands-on learning. Horses provide immediate, nonverbal feedback that allows clients—children, teens, and adults alike—to practice communication, boundaries, emotional regulation, and trust. Nature-based sessions offer grounding, reflection, and a sense of perspective that complements talk therapy. Clients who resonate with these methods are typically open to exploring new ways of connecting with themselves, practicing skills, and gaining insight in a tangible, embodied way. My ideal clients are also those who value hope, growth, and personal empowerment. They understand that therapy is a process and that meaningful change takes time, patience, and consistent effort. They are motivated to explore challenges, try new strategies, and engage in both reflective and practical work. Children and teens benefit from playful and experiential exercises that help them develop self-awareness and confidence, while adults and caregivers often benefit from reflective, skills-focused, and goal-oriented approaches that support growth in multiple areas of life. Another characteristic of my ideal client is a willingness to collaborate on goals and strategies. Children and teens often benefit when caregivers are engaged in the process, helping to reinforce skills, structure routines, and provide consistent emotional support. Adults and caregivers benefit from collaboration that aligns therapy goals with their personal values, work, family, and life demands. Clients who are willing to actively participate in their growth, reflect on patterns, and integrate learning outside of sessions are best suited for my approach. Finally, my ideal client is someone who wants to feel seen, heard, and supported. They are seeking therapy that balances insight with action, reflection with skill-building, and safety with challenge. They appreciate a therapist who can integrate traditional talk therapy with experiential, nature-based, or equine-assisted approaches, creating a personalized, engaging, and meaningful experience. My ideal clients are ready to explore emotions, build coping skills, strengthen resilience, and achieve lasting, meaningful growth. In summary, my ideal client is: Children (6+) seeking emotional support, coping strategies, and engagement in developmentally appropriate, playful, and experiential therapy Teens navigating stress, relationships, identity, and emotional regulation, open to reflective, practical, and experiential approaches Adults and caregivers managing stress, life transitions, and responsibilities, seeking skill-building, insight, and support Individuals and families interested in trauma-informed, collaborative, and paced therapy, including optional nature-based and equine-assisted modalities Clients motivated to actively participate, integrate strategies into daily life, and explore both reflective and experiential avenues for growth My ideal clients leave therapy feeling more grounded, resilient, and capable, equipped with practical strategies, insight, and self-awareness that help them navigate the challenges of life with confidence. They value a personalized, collaborative, and trauma-informed approach that meets them where they are while guiding them toward meaningful, lasting change.