I have genuinely enjoyed working closely and professionally with children for over 26 years.  I am a former elementary school teacher with extensive experience working in the Montgomery County Public School System and as a social worker for the Montgomery County Infants and Toddlers Program.  Additionally, I was a social worker for Hawaii’s Department of Health in the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Division. I have gained extensive knowledge on the difficulties and challenges that children, adolescents, and their families face today. I specialize in working with children and adolescents who are experiencing anxiety, depression, school struggles, grief, and trauma.

      I believe in an integrative approach with the foundational truth that each person I work with is an individual with unique circumstances and needs.  Together, we will create goals within your treatment plan that are meaningful and make sense for you.  In my practice, I use a holistic, strength-based approach and strive for a genuine patient-therapist relationship where parent and child are truly heard and understood. I have a calm, easy-going style that creates a natural and safe environment for children, teens and parents. My passion is to help children thrive as they continue to grow using the tools and strategies we will learn together. Therapeutic techniques used in my sessions include play therapy (including sand and art therapy), CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), and traditional psychotherapy.

      I received my Bachelor of Arts in Developmental Psychology with a minor in Child Development from California State University, Chico (1993), and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Hawaii, Manoa (1997).  I was licensed in the state of Maryland in 2001. My current affiliations include: The National Association of Social Workers and the National Honor Society of Psychology-American Psychological Association.