Services
About My Clients
Clients come to me because they're ready for something different. Their family has usually been through a therapist or two (or 5...) and are yearning to sit with someone who sees their child or teen as a human being and more than just a set of symptoms. They've often sat across the table while some well-meaning professional described their child/teen as "defiant" or "out of control." They're often told to ignore their child's attention-seeking behaviors. Deep down, they know there's more to it.
My Background and Approach
I take a holistic, family-systems approach. In short, I am obsessed with the big picture. This means that I work tirelessly to see beyond the symptoms and diagnosis and focus on ways to improve the system around the child/teen. This thorough approach is tried and true when dealing with kids and teens who are prone to explosive behaviors. So what does this actually look like? It means parents and I work together at least biweekly in addition to the child or teen's weekly therapy. We'll use this time wisely to examine and reflect on the behaviors and feelings that are getting in the way of your family living their best life. Contrary to popular belief, it's entirely possible to give parents a seat at the table without divulging all the secrets a child/teen shares in therapy. This collaboration helps me combine my expertise in child mental health with my knowledge of your unique child or teen, and help parents bring their A-game in a way that will foster mental health for the long haul.
My Personal Beliefs and Interests
The world of psychotherapy today offers hundreds if not thousands of multi-letter approaches that promise to be the silver bullet. I keep it simple. My practice rests on these values: Compassion. Relationships. Authenticity. Compassion for parents. Compassion for children/teens. By the time families come to me, both parents and the child/teen are often swimming in a sea of shame and self-criticism. We will work together to help your entire family develop a sense of self-compassion. In addition to treating the symptoms, I will support you in having a healthier parent-child relationship. Children and teens also open up to me fairly easily because I first focus on building a relationship with them. The kids/teens I see often have a very strong "bullsh*t meter." They see right through the adults in their life. While some adults get uncomfortable and flustered over this, I welcome the opportunity to come to therapy as my true self in order to allow my clients to be their true selves.
