Many times, kids, just like adults, can benefit from therapy. However, therapy for children is not just like therapy for adults. Kids speak a different language than adults: play. Through therapeutic play, children can process and make sense of their emotions, struggles, and experiences. I utilize a variety of play therapy techniques, expressive arts activities, and therapeutic games to provide a safe and accepting space for children to communicate their emotions and process their struggles in a healthy and developmentally appropriate way.
Through a safe, nurturing relationship, children are free to express themselves in the way they choose. Each child will find a warm and open place to work through their stressors and struggles. Children can gain the necessary coping skills to keep in their toolbox for life and benefit from positive growth and increased self-esteem.
With each child’s unique needs in mind, I use both child-centered and directive play therapy approaches, while encouraging outside support systems essential to this work.
Parent collaboration is an integral part of my treatment approach with children. Involving parents and family members ensures that your child’s new skills can be applied outside the therapy setting. I schedule parent sessions on a regular basis to talk about your child’s progress, teach strategies we are using in therapy, and suggest ways you can support and nurture your child at home.
Common concerns include:
Being a teen is difficult. With pressure from peers, social media, parents, and even self, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Sometimes, that pressure can build up and result in feelings of anxiety, depression, and self doubt. Other times, it shows up as anger, irritability, or impulsive behavior.
My goal when working with teens is to meet them where they are - wherever that may be. I work to build a warm, trusting relationship and provide a safe, non-judgemental, and compassionate space to figure out life. We can talk about their values, their stressors, their identity, and their support. We can talk about ways they can work to communicate with parents while building connections with friends and keeping their sense of identity.
In addition to talk therapy, I like to use activities, games, and expressive arts to keep it interesting while still working toward treatment goals. Helping teens learn healthier ways of relating to themselves, each other, and the world is at the core of every session.
Do you ever feel helpless as a parent? Have you tried strategies and read books without making any progress? Do you feel like you have no idea how to change your child’s behavior?
Children do as well as they can. When their emotions and behaviors are out of control, they are telling us they don’t have the skills to deal with those feelings or situations. Our job is to teach them those skills.
Together, we can work on:
Whether you want to process your feelings about parenting, brush up on specific skills, or start a new discipline system, we can implement a plan that meets your goals.
Let’s fill your parenting toolbox with a variety of tools that are evidence-based, relationally-focused, and easy to learn.
My main focus is supporting you in making the best decisions for your family and helping you gain confidence in yourself and your parenting skills.
AutPlay Therapy is a play and behavioral therapy approach to working with children and families affected by autism. It is a collaborative model to help kids and adolescents gain skills in six target areas: emotional regulation, social skills, relationship development, sensory regulation, anxiety, and behavioral struggles.
When children learn to self-regulate, possess social skills that relate to the environments they are asked to function in, and learn appropriate and meaningful relationship connection, they are less likely to have behavioral issues and more likely to function successfully in their day-to-day environment.
Parents are an important part of the process and participate equally in therapy and activities with their children. During alternating parent-only sessions, the therapist teaches parents how to implement targeted interventions at home. You will learn some of the procedures and techniques and incorporate them with your child to practice building skills between sessions. In this way, parents are co-agents of change.
What to expect:
$175 per 45-50 minute session
Full payment is due at the time of your session. Accepted forms of payment include cash, check, all major credit & debit cards, HSA (Health Spending Account), FSA (Flexible Spending Account).
I do not accept or bill insurance. I am not in network with any insurance provider. Full payment is due at the time of your session.
Out of network reimbursement may be an option, but it differs depending on the individual insurance plan, specific out of network coverage, and deductibles. Upon request, I can provide you with a superbill (detailed receipt) that you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. I encourage you to contact your insurance provider for more information.
Some questions you can ask your insurance provider:
I am currently full and not accepting new clients in West Seattle at this time.
Most clients are seen in-person at my West Seattle office. However, some teen and adult clients may choose to engage in video sessions from the convenience and privacy of their own home. If therapeutically appropriate, I offer telehealth through a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform. Clients must be physically located within Washington state during a telehealth session.
Because your appointment slot is held just for you, you will be charged the full fee for sessions cancelled or missed with less than 24 hour notice.
5426 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98136
There is ample free street parking along California Avenue as well as a paid lot next to the building.
I will provide an access code for the building when confirming your first appointment. The gate code is also in your appointment reminder text/email.
If you or your child are in acute crisis please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
If you or your child are in an emotional crisis or need immediate emotional support please contact:
