Licensed to practice in Connecticut and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in Child or Adolescent, Family Therapy, Parenting
(she/her)
New to Grow
Hello! It is my hope to support children and their families through my practice. Throughout my years of experience, I have found myself especially drawn to working with younger children. I enjoy using play to teach and build emotional literacy through books, games, art, and imaginative play. My ideal clients are children ages 3–12 and their families who are experiencing emotional, behavioral, social, school-related, or developmental challenges. I offer in-person therapy for children ages 12 and under in Manchester, Connecticut. For adolescents and parents, I also offer virtual sessions to provide greater flexibility and accessibility. When working with young children, much of the progress happens through supporting and empowering parents. Families often seek support for concerns such as anxiety, emotional regulation, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), behavioral challenges, family transitions, or difficulties at school. I strive to create opportunities during sessions for parents to observe and practice effective strategies for managing dysregulation, providing redirection, and strengthening connection with their child. My goal is to help families create meaningful and lasting change both in and outside of the therapy room. With over 15 years of experience supporting children and families in both school and clinical settings, I provide a strength-based, trauma-informed, and solution-focused approach that helps children build skills, increase confidence, and develop healthier ways to navigate life's challenges while coaching and supporting parents along the way.
When you first come into the office with your child, we will introduce ourselves and begin the intake process. I like to start by referencing the conversation you had with your child before coming to therapy and discussing what led your family to seek support. We will briefly review the intake forms I have already read and address any additional questions. From the start, I am assessing your family's goals, strengths, and individual needs. Most children ages 12 and under are seen in person, which allows me to engage through play, activities, and observation. Adolescents and parent sessions may be conducted virtually when appropriate. Together, we will create a family tree to identify the important people and relationships in your child's life. I will have toys and activities available and will set clear expectations about how we will use play during our time together. Play provides a valuable opportunity for me to observe the emotions, communication styles, and skills that naturally emerge. We will also discuss confidentiality, what it may look like if we see each other in the community, and my role as a therapist in developmentally appropriate terms. Some of my favorite moments are the thoughtful questions children ask, such as, "What is a therapist?" My hope is that by the end of our first session, everyone leaves with a better understanding of who I am, who your child is, and what our work together may look like moving forward.
One of the strengths I bring to therapy is my ability to be fully present and genuinely connect with children and adolescents. I pay close attention not only to what they say, but also to their body language, interactions, and patterns. With younger children, I am not afraid to get down on the floor, be silly, and engage alongside them through play. Building trust and connection is often the foundation for meaningful growth. When working with older children, tweens, and adolescents, I focus on understanding their interests, strengths, and what is most important to them. Together, we identify goals in their own words and create a shared vision of what success would look like. Helping young people recognize their strengths and develop a sense of ownership over their growth is an important part of my approach. I combine evidence-based practices, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Solution-Focused Therapy, with modeling, coaching, and play-based interventions. My goal is to provide support in a way that is intentional, individualized, and developmentally appropriate, while giving children and families practical tools they can use in their everyday lives.
I work best with children ages 3–12 and their families who are looking for a collaborative, hands-on approach to therapy. Many of the families I support are navigating anxiety, emotional regulation challenges, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), behavioral concerns, school-related difficulties, family transitions, or social challenges. I especially enjoy working with younger children who learn and communicate through play. Because of my background as both a School Social Worker and outpatient therapist, I understand the many environments that influence a child's well-being. I enjoy partnering with parents, caregivers, schools, and other providers when appropriate to support meaningful and lasting change. Families who are open to being actively involved in the therapeutic process often find the greatest success. While I work directly with children, I also spend time helping parents better understand their child's needs, build practical skills, strengthen connections, and feel more confident in supporting their child's growth both at home and in the community.
I identify as
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help children and adolescents understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Many young people experience strong emotions without fully understanding what is happening internally. CBT helps them recognize patterns, identify unhelpful thoughts, and develop healthier ways of responding to challenges. With younger children, I often teach CBT concepts through play, books, games, art activities, and real-life examples that match their developmental level. For older children and adolescents, we may work together to identify thinking patterns, challenge negative self-talk, build coping skills, and practice problem-solving strategies. I also involve parents whenever appropriate so they can better understand the skills their child is learning and support continued growth outside of sessions. My goal is to make CBT engaging, practical, and relevant to each child's daily life so they can build confidence and feel more capable of managing difficult emotions and situations.
Strength-Based
A strength-based approach means I look beyond challenges, diagnoses, or problem behaviors to identify the unique qualities, abilities, and resources that each child and family already possess. I believe meaningful growth happens when people recognize and build upon their strengths rather than focusing solely on what is not working. In sessions, I help children identify their interests, talents, positive relationships, and past successes. Together, we explore how those strengths can be used to overcome current challenges and work toward their goals. I also help parents recognize and build upon their child's strengths while developing a deeper understanding of their needs. By focusing on what is already working, children often develop greater confidence, resilience, and self-awareness. My goal is to help families feel empowered, capable, and hopeful while creating practical strategies for continued growth and success.