Frequently Asked Questions

Your child can expect to gain a variety of benefits from participation in mental health counseling services. I strive to provide an individualized therapy approach for each client, paying close attention to each child’s needs, hobbies, and preferred means of expression (play, talking, art, writing, gestures, walkie-talkies, or something else altogether). My hope for each child and family who choose to participate in therapy is to provide an experience emphasizing laughter, fun, learning, togetherness, and connection. Below are just a few of the most common benefits children and family may gain during therapy:

-increased understanding of anger/frustration triggers
-ability to communicate emotions, wants, and needs in a more age-appropriate way
-improved self-esteem and independence
-less frequent behavioral outbursts
-improved home routine and structure
-decrease in presenting concerns/symptoms that were causing distress for the child in home, school, or community settings
-learn a variety of tools to manage distress
-improvements in your child’s social skills and ability to play appropriately with others
These are just a few examples of concerns that may be addressed as part of therapy. Each child and adolescent’s treatment plan is individualized and based on information gathered during the intake process as well from the child. Please contact with me with any questions about how therapy can help your child or adolescent reach their goals.

Family therapy sessions can often be helpful as a supplementary layer to your child or adolescent’s individual therapy. Family therapy sessions can include parents, siblings, or other significant people in the child/adolescent’s life. Sessions may focus on a variety of topics, including:
-attachment
-child development
-anger management
-home structure and routine
-developing age-appropriate and natural consequences
-healthy communication
-conflict reduction
-sibling dynamics
-parenting styles
-psychoeducation
While your child or adolescent can make significant improvements during their time in therapy, I have found that these improvements are more impactful as well as longer-lasting when the parents or other family members are also active participants in therapy. Family therapy services can provide support regarding any family situation that is causing stress, anger, or conflict within the family. Family therapy sessions can help your child and family members understand one another better and learn more ways to communicate in a way that helps each person feel heard and better understood. Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions about the benefits of family therapy.

Each person is unique and different, making it difficult to determine the exact number of sessions or length of time your child or adolescent may require therapy services. It is important that the child’s parents/caregivers participate actively throughout the therapeutic process to review treatment plan goals and progress and determine needs on an ongoing basis.

If your child has been struggling with issues related to their emotions, behaviors, or experiences, you may be wondering if this is a “phase” they will overcome or grow out of. You may be wondering if your child’s responses to daily stressors is “normal” or maybe you have been struggling to implement a variety of parenting techniques to manage behaviors with little to no improvement. Parents often seek counseling for their child after they have exhausted one too many strategies (rewards, consequences, parenting books, negotiation, learning the newest TikToK dance craze, communicating only with emojis, etc.) to connect with their child/adolescent with varying results. Therapy can be a useful tool to help parents and children improve their communication, connection, and restore a sense of balance and calm at home. I am always happy to meet with you to discuss your concerns, hopes for your family, and be a part of helping your family meet your goals…just please don’t ask me to dance-there will be regrets and possible injuries for all involved :)

You can contact me via email at [email protected], by phone, or through the patient portal on this website. You are able to request an initial intake appointment through the patient portal or contact me directly to discuss my availability. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions. I am excited to meet you!

There is practically nothing more important in therapy than confidentiality. As with any doctor/patient agreement, your privacy is of the utmost importance. A good therapist understands the vulnerability and openness that must come from each patient in order to really get through, so therapy itself can take a lot of trust, and that needs to be developed over time. Make sure your therapist offers a confidentiality agreement before you begin your sessions, typically called ‘informed consent.’ It is your choice if you’d like to have your therapist share anything significant with your other healthcare providers, but this can only be done with your written consent. Nothing you share in your sessions is to be told to anyone else, with the rare exceptions of suspected abuse of any kind (including child protection), or if the therapist has any reason to believe their patient may hurt themselves, or others. These situations are a matter of ethical procedures, and sometimes, even the law.

Yes! Telehealth sessions are available and held through a HIPAA compliant platform through my Electronics Health Records (EHR) system. Please contact me for more details about telehealth options.