About

My area of concentration is supporting people who are managing any of the following:

social issues (peer pressure, aggression, isolation, vitimization)

anger, sadness & depression

stress & anxiety

learning differences & difficulties

grief & loss

divorce & separation

substance use

self-harm

career & education decision making

adjustment to a new life situation

I use a combination of modalities, tailoring my approach to each individual. I use role-play, art projects, mindfulness and relaxation practice in my counseling practice, as well as traditional talk-therapy. I rely heavily on cognitive-behavioral therapy tools and hold a solution-oriented perspective. Together, with my client and their family, we begin by understanding present realities and then proceed to goal-setting.

Above all, I respect a client's motivation to change and am deliberate about setting goals with their full-agreement and collaboration. At times these goals may be at odds with what a parent determines, and I work with the family towards a mutually-acceptable agreement.

Systems therapy is also a critical part of my practice, meaning each young person is a part of a family system and does not operate in a vacuum . Behavioral patterns, living circumstances, unspoken rules and truths, family secrets and shared traumatic experiences have great impact on a young persons' functioning. It is my hope that the family members of my clients join our sessions as needed in order to maximize our therapeutic potential.