At this stage of life, kids are doing a tremendous amount of growing; socially, emotionally, and cognitively. They are doing and experiencing many things for the first time including what friendships look and feel like, how it feels to be a student in school, learning their role within their family dynamic, and coping with big feelings, all while still developing the language to explain what's going on inside of them.

That's why play and creativity are such a central part of how I work with kids. Kids this age often don't yet have the vocabulary or skills to sit and talk through their feelings, but they can often show you exactly what's going on through play, art, storytelling, and games. I meet kids in their comfort zone so they can process, express, and work through what's happening for them in a way that feels fun, safe, and developmentally appropriate.

My belief with kids is the same as it is with every client I work with: this is their space, and my role is to help them feel safe enough to be exactly who they are within it. I offer playful humor, warmth, validation, and zero judgment, while gently supporting their growth along the way. I believe kids have a profound need to be listened to and feel seen for who they are, and when they feel that kind of safety and validation, they become more able to understand and regulate their own big feelings.

I help support kids in building lifelong skills like emotional awareness, coping, communication, self-confidence, and self-efficacy as they continue to grow. I also value intentional communication with caregivers along the way so that we can support the child’s needs and skill-building both in our sessions and at home, but always in a way that continues to honor and respect the therapeutic space as belonging to the child. My experience as a school counselor also gives me firsthand insight into the environment kids are navigating every day, so I can help translate what's happening at school into our work together and advocate for a child's needs when it feels helpful for me to do so.

Being a teenager is really, really hard. Your brain, body, and your identity are changing more often and more quickly than almost any other time in your life. You are trying to figure out friendships, dating, who you are, your relationship with your parents/guardians, school stuff, extracurricular stuff, holding a job for the first time…no wonder you’re overwhelmed. 

I spent years working as a school counselor so I understand the social pressure, academic stress (both worrying about grades and what’s beyond high school), and the difficult relationships or interactions with teachers, coaches, counselors, and school staff. Sometimes that can feel confusing or unfair. If school-related stuff comes up in our work together, I can help you figure out how to deal with it, advocate for yourself, or get support when you need it.

You don’t get a ton of say over your life as a teenager, and that can feel exhausting and frustrating. My belief is that this is your space and you get to steer us in the direction you want to go. I may gently challenge you in areas of growth and make sure you feel safe in the process. I see my role as a co-regulator as you feel those uncomfortable and difficult emotions, and a co-investigator as we figure out who you are and who you want to be.

I believe how we interact with the world around us is related to what we are feeling inside, so when we can access those feelings in a safe place, and learn to regulate them, we are better equipped to handle all that the world throws at us. We will build skills together so that you feel empowered to cope during difficult times and to become more resilient over time.

Being an adult doesn’t mean that we have it all figured out. Hard things don't just stop once you're "grown”. Struggling is a natural part of adulthood too. Throughout adulthood we are learning how to navigate relationships, career pressures or changes, and identity shifts. We may be experiencing significant life transitions like a divorce or becoming a parent for the first time.

Many of us carry the belief that we should just know how to handle it all on our own, which can make it hard to ask for support or even slow down enough to check in with ourselves. My belief is that therapy is your space to slow down and make yourself a priority. You will steer us in the direction that matters most to you. I will walk alongside you and gently challenge you toward growth when you're ready for it. I see my role as a guide in helping you access the wisdom and answers that already exist within you, so you can feel more grounded, regulated, and self-aware as you move through whatever life is throwing your way. Whether that's strain in a relationship, the overwhelm of new parenthood, or simply trying to figure out who you are in this chapter of your life.

I believe that who we are and how we show up in the world is deeply connected to what we're feeling inside. When we can access those feelings in a safe space, we become better equipped to handle the stressors of adulthood. Together we will work to build a solid foundation to help you feel more capable and resilient when coping with hard moments; not just in this chapter, but in the many still ahead.