Personal Experience
I’m Peyton, a fully licensed and experienced child and family therapist. My interest in this work began early, rooted in my own experience growing up with anxiety. I remember what it felt like to carry big feelings in a small body, and how hard it was to explain what was going on inside. That experience made me curious. I wanted to understand why we feel the way we do, and how we can learn to handle it, especially when we’re still figuring out who we are.
One quote I’ve carried with me for years is from Fred Rogers: “Feelings that are mentionable are manageable.” That idea continues to shape how I work. When children and teens aren’t sure how to express what they’re feeling, those emotions often show up in other ways—through frustration, withdrawal, overwhelm, or behavior that’s hard to make sense of. My job is to help them begin to understand what’s happening inside and learn how to express it in ways that bring more connection and less confusion. With younger children, that often starts through play. Play gives me a window into how they see the world and where they may be feeling stuck. From there, I guide the play in ways that help them try out new ideas, express hard-to-name feelings, and begin to work through the things that are getting in their way. With teens, the work might involve conversation, reflection, role play, or helping them recognize and shift unhelpful thought patterns. No matter where we begin, the goal is the same: to help them feel more like themselves, better understand others, and strengthen the relationships that matter most.
Working with Children, Teens, and Families
The young people I work with come in for all kinds of reasons. Some are overwhelmed by anxiety or strong emotions. Others are managing attention challenges, navigating friendship struggles, or questioning where and how they fit in. Some are adjusting to divorce, identity changes, or new dynamics in their family or social world. Many aren’t quite sure what’s wrong, just that things feel hard.
With younger children, that confusion often shows up through confusing behaviors or emotional outbursts that don’t always match the situation. Teens may withdraw, become more reactive, or feel stuck between who they are and who others expect them to be. I pay attention to these patterns, spoken and unspoken, and help each child or teen begin to make sense of their experience in a way that feels true to them.
When it’s the right fit, I offer family therapy. These are guided conversations that help everyone share what’s important to them, listen more openly, and feel more connected. Sometimes we’re working through a specific challenge. Other times, the goal is simply to understand each other better and find new ways to relate. These conversations can lead to shared insight, stronger communication, and a clearer path forward together.
Approach to Therapy
I use a flexible, evidence-based approaches that adapts to the needs of each child, teen, and family. My training includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, and Family Systems Therapy. I draw from each depending on what fits best.
Narrative Therapy is especially helpful for young people who feel stuck in a particular story about themselves, like “I always mess things up” or “No one gets me.” We work to shift those beliefs and create new ways of seeing themselves and what’s possible. I also use CBT tools to support emotional regulation, build coping skills, and address anxious thinking, especially for those with ADHD or other self-regulation challenges. Play therapy and creative modalities are especially important for my youngest clients who don’t always have words to express their feelings yet express themselves beautifully through their imaginations. When family dynamics play a role, which they often do, I use a family systems lens to better understand how relationships at home may be influencing a child’s behavior or mood.
Therapy doesn’t look the same for every child or teen, and it shouldn’t. I adapt my approach so that it feels engaging, effective, and grounded in what each young person needs to grow.
Connecting with Young People
Not every child or teen walks into therapy knowing what’s wrong or how to talk about it, and that’s completely okay. Some share freely, others are more reserved. Some are talkative but steer away from what matters. That early caution is normal.
I don’t expect young people to know how therapy works. I’ve worked with a wide range of personalities and needs, and I draw from a full toolbox to connect in a way that feels right for each person. That might be through conversation, structure, metaphor, humor, or creative work—whatever helps them feel at ease and seen.
Once trust is in place, real growth can begin, whether we’re working on regulation, insight, communication, or identity. It’s a process I know how to guide.
Ready to Begin?
Starting therapy can feel like a big step, for parents and for young people. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, attention challenges, family stress, identity questions, or something harder to name, you’re not expected to figure it out alone.
I work with children, teens, and families at all stages, whether things are just starting to feel off or you’ve been managing for a while and want more support. If you think I might be a good fit for your child or family, I’d be glad to connect.
I offer both in-office and teletherapy sessions, with online counseling conducted through secure, HIPAA-compliant software.
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 & Education
- Bachelor of Science, Western Washington University
- Masters of Science, Seattle Pacific University
- Training in Internal Family Systems, Narrative Therapy, Play therapy
Internship & Employment
- Clinical Internship, Navos Behavioral Health, Child, Youth, and Family Department
- Child Therapist, Sendan Center; Salveo Counseling Center
License
- WA DOH Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist #LF61602554