My Approach to Child & Adolescent Therapy

My approach to therapy with children and adolescents is individualized, collaborative, and informed by more than 25 years of experience working with young people and families. My background in developmental psychology shapes how I understand a young person's concerns in the context of their age and developmental stage, strengths, relationships, family life, and experiences at school.

Children and teenagers do not experience emotional difficulties in isolation. Anxiety, low mood, friendship difficulties, family stress, learning differences, and challenges at school can overlap and affect one another. Understanding how these different parts of a young person's life fit together can help us make sense of what they are struggling with and determine what may be most helpful.

Therapy varies depending on a young person's age and needs. It may involve conversation, reflection, problem solving, practicing new ways of responding to difficult situations or emotions, and, for younger children, therapeutic drawing, writing, and play. My training and experience with cognitive behavioral therapy also inform my work, particularly in helping young people understand connections among situations, thoughts, feelings, and behavior.

With adolescents, I give teenagers room to develop a therapeutic relationship of their own while recognizing that parents and family remain important parts of their lives. I work to balance adolescents' growing independence and privacy with appropriate parent involvement.

Parents are important partners in child and adolescent therapy. The nature and frequency of parent involvement varies with a young person's age and needs, with the goal of supporting both the therapy and the relationships that are important in their life.