Personal Experience
Children’s behavior delights me! It is both a subtle and undeniably flamboyant language filled with meaning. My whole working life has been a journey to understand this language. I love to connect with people playfully and imaginatively, which opens the door to a person’s world, allowing me to get close, be trusted, and eventually understand.
An immense love of learning tempers my playful attitude. With a master’s degree in education and teaching certificates in Montessori education, I began my career as a teacher and later became a school counselor. My passion for connecting children’s natural curiosity to a love of learning led me to pursue further education with a master’s in behavioral science, ultimately becoming a family therapist specializing in children and teens. I firmly believe that to be truly helpful, the environment surrounding the child must be family-centered, as it significantly shapes their development.
To deepen my work with parents, I completed additional master’s-level studies to become a Certified Parent Coach. Now, I have the privilege of using all that I have learned to translate the language of children and teens for parents, guiding them through these raucous and impetuous years to create loving and, of course, playful family connections.
Supporting Teens/Young Adults
My expertise extends to supporting teens and young adults as they navigate the complexities of adolescence. Whether addressing anxiety, depression or social challenges, I create a safe space where they can explore their emotions, build resilience, and develop coping skills. I am particularly skilled in helping those with ADHD and neurodivergent conditions, fostering self-esteem and confidence during these critical years.
Parent Coaching
With 30 years of experience working with children and coaching their parents, I’ve gained unique insights into how different parenting approaches have impacted families over the years. By combining this experience with the latest research in neuroscience and child development, I help parents understand why some strategies succeed while others don’t. A key part of my work involves preparing parents for their child’s developmental stages, helping them discern when to provide additional support and when to allow certain behaviors to naturally resolve, reducing unnecessary stress. I specialize in guiding parents, especially when traditional methods haven’t been effective. Whether it’s navigating a child’s neurodiversity, high sensitivity, or the challenges of a busy family life, I work closely with parents to develop strategies that resonate with their unique family dynamics. As both a therapist and a Certified Parent Coach, I appreciate the importance of each parent’s individual style and background. By translating cutting-edge research into practical, personalized guidance, I help create a loving, stable, and joyful home environment where every child can thrive.
Parenting Through Divorce
Navigating divorce is one of the toughest challenges a family can face, and my decades of experience with children have taught me how deeply these transitions can affect them. I use this understanding to help parents adjust their strategies to support their children through the changes, ensuring their emotional needs are met. Additionally, I guide parents in establishing healthy co-parenting relationships, focusing on clear communication, respectful boundaries, and protecting the child’s well-being. By addressing both the child’s needs and the co-parenting dynamic, I help families create a stable and nurturing environment during and after divorce.
You can read more about high-conflict divorce on the Family Changes & Divorce page.
Treatment Approach
My approach to therapy is shaped by a wide range of specialized trainings that allow me to support clients through various life challenges. Whether I’m working with parents or guiding teens and young adults, I draw on modalities like EMDR, DBT skills, or CBT to provide comprehensive and adaptive support. I integrate principles from positive psychology, developmental theory, and family systems theory, with a strong emphasis on collaboration, active listening, and reflective questioning. My goal is to support parents and teens in developing their own insights and strengthen their relationships.
Let’s Connect
If you’re ready to start your journey toward becoming the best version of yourself, I invite you to schedule an appointment. I offer both in-office and teletherapy sessions, with online counseling conducted through secure, HIPAA-compliant software to protect your confidentiality.
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Bio
Training & Certification
- EMDR – EMDR Institute (children/adolescents)
- Law and Ethics, Joe Shaub
- DBT Skills (certified)– Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Psychwire
- Advanced Follow up Workshop (neuroscience & meditation), Dr. Joe Dispenza
- Advanced Workshop (neuroscience & mediation), Dr. Joe Dispenza
- Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy Externship
- Sandtray Play Therapy with Teens and Adults, Dottie Higgins-Klein
- Intensive Workshop (neuroscience and meditation), Dr. Joe Dispenza
- Too Cool To Play: Creative Interventions Training for Adolescents by Scott Riviere
- Intensive Play Therapy Training by Dr. Byron Norton and Dr. Carol Norton
- Flexibly Sequential Play Therapy (FSPT), Goodyear-Brown
- Healing Children through Creativity, Rogers-Jonsson
- Flexibly Sequential Play Therapy (FSPT), Goodyear-Brown
- Emotional Freedom Technique, Level 1, Judith Frost
- Attachment and Trauma in Children, Rebecca Mallos
- Ethics & Technology, Lisa Erickson
- Byron Katie workshop: Relationships Are Hell: Is It True? – with Grace Bell
- Play Therapy and Beyond, Paul White, LCSW
- Becoming a Love and Logic Parent – Instructor Training
- Motivational Interviewing
Internship & Employment
- Clinical internship: NAVOS mental health solutions
- Montessori Elementary teacher & counselor: Sammamish Montessori School, Montessori School of Calgary
Education & Degrees
- PCI Certified Parent Coach® , Seattle Pacific University
- Masters of Arts Applied Behavioral Science, Bastyr University (LIOS)
- Montessori Elementary Education Teaching Certification, Washington DC Montessori Institute
- Bachelor of Arts – University of Western Ontario
License
- WA DOH Licensed Mental Health Counselor #LH60419658.