What Makes You Passionate About The Work You Do?

I’m passionate about helping aggressive and anxious children, including foster and adoptive children, navigate their worlds with calm and resilience. These children may act out because of deep-seated frustration or past trauma, but I love to help them and see their resilience. With the right support, they can learn to manage their behaviors, grow effective social skills, and build confidence. I believe in creating a safe, welcoming space for them—whether it’s through evidence-based play therapy, art, games, sandtray therapy, or other activities. For me, therapy is about building long-term strategies to help children thrive.

Tailored Therapy for Every Child’s Unique Needs

In my practice, I work with children and teens ages 3 and up, ensuring each session is tailored to their individual needs. For younger children, therapy might involve puppets, sand trays and interactive games designed to make them feel at ease while they explore and express emotions and learn coping skills. Teens have the choice to incorporate activities they enjoy, creating an environment where they can open up naturally and on their own terms. Every therapeutic journey is guided by agreed-upon goals with parents because collaboration with the family is critical to real, sustainable change.

Parents often face challenges in understanding and managing their children’s struggles ad/or trauma responses. Many parents don’t realize that aggressive or anxious behavior can stem from deep-seated mistaken personal beliefs or trauma and they need support to navigate these behaviors compassionately and effectively. Through parent coaching and family sessions, I help them understand what’s happening within their child and how they can best support their healing journey. Together, we work to reach goals that bring healing and relief not only to the child but to the whole family.

How Do You Support Women Facing Overwhelming Challenges

Therapy is a lifeline for women who are feeling stuck, overwhelmed, have trauma or past relationship wounds, or are going through a difficult life transition, which can create an enormous mental burden. These women need a therapist who can support, understand, empower, and guide them. This approach fosters resilience and self-reliance, helping them gain clarity and confidence to make the decisions that bring positive change. Sometimes women also want a therapist who has been through some of their same struggles, and I can relate to them in this way also. I show them that there is hope and joy on the other side of their struggles.

How Do You Treat People Experiencing Chronic Pain

For those struggling with chronic pain, I incorporate brain science to explain how the brain processes pain, and we work together on techniques to change those neural pathways. It’s a powerful way to help clients understand and transform their relationship with pain, helping them regain control over their well-being. For clients with chronic pain, I incorporate the concepts and techniques of Dr. John Sarno, Dr. Howard Schubiner, and Adam Heller, for retraining the brain to heal chronic pain.

How Do You Use Evidence-Based Play Therapy Models

As a Registered Play Therapist, I prioritize approaches that are both research-backed and client-centered. I use mostly Adlerian Play Therapy, also using Child-Centered Play Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy as needed for the client. I am a member of the International Association for Sand Tray Therapy and the Association for Play Therapy, and I’m committed to using evidence-based methods. For my clients, this is reassurance that they’re working with someone who is both well-trained and deeply invested in outcomes that are supported by science. I also continue to seek training and certifications in my field, in for working with children, teens, adults, and families.

How I Create A Safe Place For Healing & Growth

I offer a safe, non-judgmental space, and every session is designed to connect meaningfully with clients, addressing their needs and concerns. It’s not just about creating a therapeutic alliance, but about meeting clients where they are. I have a playful approach and I work to not just put clients at ease but to make therapy comfortable and even playful. 

As a Christian therapist, I provide faith-aligned support when clients request it, grounding the therapeutic process in values that matter to them.

What Do You Want Patients To Know About You?

I grew up in a military family, love my rescue animals, am happily married, have a daughter in medical school, love exercising (usually), am obsessed with true crime, and I volunteer at my church with special needs children. Through my work, I’m reminded that therapy is not just about coping—it’s about growth, hope, and the return of long-lasting joy to my client’s lives.

If you’re interested in learning more or have questions, I offer a free 15-minute consultation. Contact me to schedule an appointment or consultation.