Families provide our first and often most important experiences with social connection. As children we pick up ways of interacting based on our relationships with those around us. We learn ways of coping (sometimes healthy, sometimes not) within our social, emotional, and physical environment. In this way, I believe that every family member has a significant impact on each other and that many of our individual challenges can be traced back to our experiences within the family structure. When children don’t have the coping and interpersonal communication skills to navigate conflict it can result in emotional outbursts, avoidance, or increased anxiety/depression. Parents too can feel overwhelmed in their parenting role and struggle with self-doubt during times of change. I can support your family by working with you or your child individually or facilitating family discussions to improve relationships and strengthen communication and problem solving skills.

I have over 18 years experience working with individuals and families in crisis. I have worked across the lifespan from young children to adults, addressing emotional and interpersonal conflicts and working to break the cycle of trauma. I specialize in managing and resolving behavioral problems in children and teens, anxiety and depression, grief and loss, and strengthening parenting skills. As a licensed creative arts therapist I use art-making as a therapeutic process alongside cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), and family systems therapy. We will explore how your thoughts affect your behaviors and emotions and together we can discover your skills, improve coping strategies, and find solutions to conflict by utilizing a creative problem solving approach. Our individual sessions will progress gradually at a pace that feels comfortable for you, with the ultimate goal of helping you to manage these challenges and find new positive ways to define yourself.