Counseling for Children and Adolescents

“Beneath every behavior there is a feeling. Beneath every feeling there is a need. When we meet the need rather than focus on the behavior, we begin to deal with the cause, not the symptom.”

— Ashleigh Warner, Psychologist

Children Ages 5+

Does your child have big feelings that lead to frequent tantrums and difficulty calming down? Have you noticed your child is frequently fearful or avoiding activities/places they used to enjoy? Is your child struggling to process a difficult loss or transition?

Without the skills and language to express their needs and feelings, children may only know how to communicate with us through their behaviors. Imagine being hurt or scared but unable to tell anyone what’s wrong. Children will find ways to let us know they need help - showing them we hear and care is the first step towards de-escalation.

My child-centered approach combines engaging, age-appropriate techniques with evidence-based therapeutic methods. I integrate:

  • Play elements for younger children

  • Creative expression and art-based activities

  • Mind-body awareness building exercises

  • Social-emotional learning techniques

  • Self-compassion and self-soothing skills 

  • Mindfulness and movement exercises

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) 

  • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) 

  • Collaboration with existing care team

  • Dedicated parenting sessions

Parent Support

Your involvement in therapy is key to a successful outcome. I include dedicated parenting sessions in my work with children. By combining your parental knowledge with my expertise and training, we can help your child integrate therapeutic skills outside of sessions. With a deeper understanding of your family system and parenting strategies, I can provide personalized recommendations and interventions.

Teens and Young Adults

Have you been wondering if your teen might need additional support? Are they shutting down, blowing up, isolating, or engaging in risky behaviors? Are you feeling unable to reach them and unsure how to help? Or maybe you are looking for long-term support and care for a teen who is stabilizing after a mental health crisis. 

With specialized training and experience working with adolescents, I combine evidence-based approaches to help teens develop the skills they need to thrive. My approach integrates:

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) skills that help teens manage intense emotions, build healthier relationships, and change underlying thought patterns

  • Mind-body awareness practices that strengthen their connection to themselves and enhance emotional regulation

  • Practice with executive functioning skills like flexible thinking, time management, impulse control, and study planning to support ADHD treatment

  • Support for LGBTQ+ youth with identity exploration, family relationships, bullying, self-compassion, and mental health challenges

  • Self-compassion techniques that build resilience and positive self-worth

  • Harm reduction approach for teens dealing with self-harm and suicidal thoughts

Creating a Safe Space

LGBTQ+ affirming care for teens is about strengthening their ability to look inward to decide what is true for themselves rather than following the ebbs and flows of peer pressure. While teens have always questioned and explored identity on their journey to self-discovery, today's teens face unique challenges including social media influence, evolving terminology, and navigating increasingly complex dialogues around gender and sexual identity.

By demonstrating trust in your teen’s ability to navigate their own self-exploration, we can support their development of self-trust as an internal compass. This approach not only validates their current experiences but also equips them with lifelong skills for understanding and honoring their authentic selves in all areas of life.

Virtual Therapy Designed for Today's Youth

Today's youth live in a digital world, and therapy should meet them where they are. Through secure virtual sessions, your child or teen can engage in meaningful therapeutic work from the comfort of their own space. This format can help teens feel more at ease and open to sharing, while fitting seamlessly into your family's busy schedule.

Taking the First Step

I'm here to answer your questions and help you determine if my approach would be a good fit for your family. Contact me today to schedule a free 15 minute consultation and learn more about how we can work together to support your child's wellbeing.