I love working with families needing help connecting and understanding each other’s perspectives, especially with children who may have difficulties identifying and expressing their feelings safely and in healthy ways.

Assisting children with developing appropriate ways to communicate their emotions helps their loved ones understand and support what they need, and get more of what they crave in their relationships. If your child struggles to understand and regulate their emotions, and to share them in adaptive ways, I can help them to learn more about their own feelings and responses, give them new tools for self-expression, and provide guidance for you as parents in best supporting your child. My approach includes engaging family members in games and activities to understand dynamics, encouraging positive social interactions, and helping you work through challenging moments.

I work from an attachment lens, working with children through young adults, ages 3 to 20 years old. I am passionate about working with children and families who have experienced trauma, neglect, and/or abuse, particularly children who have experienced attachment disruptions, including involvement in foster care, divorce, adoption, separation from a parent or caregiver, and other family disruptions. Children who have experienced such losses or traumatic experiences often communicate their distress in ways that challenge those trying to best support them. Helping you, as parents/caregivers, begin to see that all behavior is a form of communication, even “negative” behavior, helps you to interpret what your child is trying to tell you. This allows you to respond to the underlying messages hidden in sometimes confusing or frustrating behavior. In addition, helping your child to build distress tolerance and new coping resources aids them in navigating a sometimes stressful and overwhelming world.

I strongly believe that children and parents want to build stronger and healthier relationships, but may not know how, or have already tried everything you know to try. In relationships, when we know better, we do better. I will help you and your child learn ways to build healthier attachment bonds – the best way to set you up for success not just for the parent-child relationship, but for future relationships in their lives.

Background: As someone who grew up in Northern Virginia, I have a personal understanding of the unique joys, challenges and stressors of living in this area. I have lived as an adult in other areas of the country, including Georgia, Texas and New Mexico, and have loved the exposure and insight into other cultures and diverse communities. Although I love traveling and international exploration, I’ve found that Virginia is home.

I am a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). I received my undergraduate and graduate degrees from New Mexico Highlands University in Albuquerque, New Mexico. My graduate program was intensive and focused on providing practical experiences in clinical settings, including internships in a teen crisis shelter and an attachment healing-based therapy practice, both of which provided valuable training and first-hand clinical experience. I am also part of multiple community committees here in Virginia, including the Trauma-informed Care Network and the Domestic Violence Network, which provides resources and advocacy to victims and survivors of trauma and Domestic Violence, driven by my passion for aiding healing in those who have been traumatized. At Bridges Therapy and Wellness Center, I am working under Meghan Andrews, LCSW as my clinical supervisor to complete the final steps in obtaining my license to practice as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).