Meeting kids and youth where they actually are- not where their age says they should be.
Children who have experienced trauma often develop in ways that look confusing from the outside. A 10-year-old may have the emotional needs of a 5-year-old — not because something is wrong with them, but because early trauma interrupted the natural sequence of development. Understanding that gap changes everything about how you approach a child.
My background in human development means I don't just see the age on the intake form. I see the whole child — where they are developmentally, what they need relationally, and what their behavior is actually trying to say.
I've spent years working with children across a wide variety of settings, and one thing has stayed consistent: I build rapport quickly. Kids tend to trust me — and that trust is where healing begins.
How I work with children and teens
Playfulness leads the way. Whether we're talking, using a sandbox tray, or doing something creative together, the relationship we build in this room is the foundation for everything else. I don't rush past that to get to the "real work" — the relationship is the real work.
My sessions run on three simple rules:
Stick together — emotionally and physically, we stay connected
No hurts — emotional or physical, this is a safe space
Have fun — because joy is part of healing too
These rules create a container that feels clear and safe for kids who often live in unpredictable environments. Within that container, a lot becomes possible.
What to expect
Every child is different, so sessions look different too. Some kids want to talk. Others need to move, create, or play their way through things. I follow the child's lead while gently guiding the work toward the goals we've set together.
Parents are an important part of the process. From the start we'll collaborate on how to best include you — and I'll typically invite you in for the last 10 minutes of your child's session. That time together helps bridge what happens in the room to what happens at home, where the real healing takes place.
Modalities used
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) — for anxiety, specific memories, or trauma processing
Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) — to teach regulation skills and build relational connection
Sandtray therapy — for children who process better through play than words
