My approach with Children and Teens

A Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LSWAIC) and Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS), I have a deep passion for partnering with youth and families to inspire resilience. My approach to therapy with children and teens draws on my experience in a variety of therapeutic settings, including inpatient pediatric behavioral health units, community-based non-profit organizations, hospitals, pediatric palliative and hospice care centers, and outpatient therapy settings. I work with children and teens facing a range of challenging life experiences, including grief and loss, trauma, medical complexities, gender and sexual identity issues, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. It is my goal to promote optimal coping and adjustment, facilitate self-expression, and enhance connection and communication within the family unit. In my work with children and teens, I utilize a variety of approaches including both directive and non-directive therapeutic play techniques, creative arts modalities, and bibliotherapy. I also incorporate elements of cognitive behavioral therapy, narrative therapy, motivational interviewing, dialectical behavior therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy. I operate from a person-centered, attachment theory lens, and my therapeutic style is warm, relational, and collaborative.