MY SPECIALTIES
CHILD AND ADOLESCENT COUNSELING
I am particularly interested in helping young people understand how their brains work and why they react to life's events in certain ways. How we are wired affects our responses to the hardship that everyone experiences -- whether we end up in fight, flight or freeze mode, become disregulated, or interact with the world in an unhealthy way. Understanding these inherent tendencies is crucial to healthier reactions.
ADULT COUNSELING
I work with adults at every life stage, specializing in adult children of emotionally immature and/or toxic parents. Many of my clients are grappling with the lasting effects of their upbringing, struggling with issues like self-doubt, difficulty setting boundaries, or navigating unfulfilling relationships.
NEURODIVERSITY
Neurodiversity refers to the way individuals experience and interact with the world. There is no one correct way for our brains to work, and understanding our unique differences leads to peaceful and productive lives. I specialize in working with people with ADHD and 2E (Twice Exceptional) individuals, as well as those with learning disorders and sensory processing issues.
PARENTING
I aim to help parents and other caregivers address the unique challenges and complexities of raising children, including managing challenging behaviors and improving communication within the family and coping with the emotional demands of parenting. I work with clients to understand their own parenting styles, identify any past experiences or personal issues that may be impacting their approach, and equip them with practical tools and insights to foster a healthier, more supportive, and cohesive family environment.
TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE
Trauma -- whether Big T or little t -- has a substantial impact on our lives. For example, disrupted early childhood attachment experiences can affect marriage, parenting, relationships, and professional life. Understanding our trauma and its effects in a safe environment lead us on a healing journey.
ADOPTION
I provide counseling for both adoptees and adoptive parents. For adoptees, I provide a safe space to process feelings of loss, grief, identity confusion, and potential trauma stemming from early separation or pre-adoption experiences. For adoptive parents, I help address challenges such as attachment difficulties, navigating communication about adoption with their children, understanding the impact of their child's history, and managing their own expectations or unresolved grief.
BRAINSPOTTING
Developed by David Grand, Ph.D., Brainspotting is a neurobiological tool that helps us identify and process sources of pain and trauma. You can read more about Brainspotting here.
THEORETICAL APPROACHES
In my practice I utilize many approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Attachment Theory, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Theory of Traumatic Memory, Biopsychosocial Model of Trauma, Polyvagal Theory, Somatic Therapy, Structural Dissociation Theory, and Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment.
SAND TRAY THERAPY
Sand tray therapy is a non-verbal, expressive therapeutic technique where individuals create miniature "worlds" in a sand-filled tray using various figures and objects. This process allows them to symbolically represent and explore their inner thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a safe and contained space, often revealing subconscious processes and facilitating emotional expression, insight, and healing, particularly for those who struggle with verbal communication or have experienced trauma.
