Child Therapy

I provide individual therapy for children ages 8 and up facing a variety of social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Each session is tailored to the unique needs of the child. Establishing clear treatment goals at the outset helps to guide our work. Please see below for my specialities.

Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression often present differently in children than in adults. If you notice changes in your child's behavior, sleep or eating patterns, an increase in somatic complaints, a lack of interest in social activities, or changes in friendship patterns, it may be a sign that they need support. Therapy for anxiety and depression focuses on identifying emotions and developing skills to manage both simple and complex feelings. Depending on your child’s needs, a play-based approach may be incorporated to enhance engagement and effectiveness in treatment.

Behavioral Challenges

Raising children is both rewarding and challenging. If your child is struggling with emotion regulation, excessive clinginess, or difficulty engaging in activities independently, they may benefit from additional support. Therapy can help children develop coping skills and helps build confidence in themselves to use their skills when warranted. For this type of treatment, providing parents with strategies to navigate behavioral challenges effectively is essential, and parenting sessions compliment treatment.

School Issues and Peer Relationships

Navigating educational services and social challenges such as cliques, exclusion, and relational aggression—issues often seen in girls—can be difficult for children and parents alike. I offer support to school-age children and their families, helping them build and strengthen friendships while developing healthy social skills in their school environments.

School Consultation

With extensive training and experience as a school psychologist, I am well-versed in the academic and social-emotional needs of children and adolescents in elementary, middle, and high school. I offer consultation services to help parents navigate school support systems, and I collaborate with teachers to create positive and supportive educational environments for students.

Parent Consultation

With young children, I believe that working directly with parents is one of the most effective ways to facilitate meaningful change. I offer both structured and unstructured parent consultation sessions, focusing on managing challenging behaviors at home, handling transitions, supporting peer relationships, and navigating the various stages of child development.

Referral Services and Collaboration

I collaborate with other professionals involved in your child's care, including teachers and psychiatrists, to ensure a cohesive and coordinated treatment approach. Additionally, I provide referrals for specialized therapies beyond my scope, and other types of services such as pediatric neuropsychologists, and speech and occupational therapies.

Child Therapy Questions

  • To provide a comprehensive and effective support system for your child, I often find it beneficial to collaborate with the school psychologist and/or the child's teachers. By working together, we can ensure a holistic approach that addresses the needs of the child both at home and in the school environment.

    I will provide you with a release of information form that allows you to authorize communication with the relevant school staff members. This enables me to better understand and support your child's growth and development within the context of their daily school experience.

    Please let me know which individuals at the school you would like me to connect with, and I will ensure that all necessary steps are taken to facilitate this process.

  • I understand that after school curricular activities are important, fun, and time consuming. That is why I offer flexible scheduling to meet your child’s needs. However, in the beginning of therapy I recommend meeting on a weekly basis to establish treatment goals and build rapport. Depending on how your child responds to treatment will determine the frequency of meetings.

  • Confidentiality is important. At the start of treatment, I ensure that both the child and their parent or guardian understand that everything discussed in our sessions remains private and will not be shared with the parents. The only exception to this confidentiality is if there are concerns regarding self-harm or safety. In such cases, I inform the child that their parent will be involved in the development of a safety plan to ensure their well-being. With younger children, I find that they often want me to share things directly with their parent which may be hard for them to share themselves. I will always try and share what I can without breaking confidentiality to help support you navigate the relationship with your child.