Practice Description
During my 19 years of professional experience in the mental health field, I have worked in community based clinics, crisis intervention centers, and educational settings. As a licensed family therapist, I view most problems within the context of a system. This means I understand that you do not live in a vacuum and that others in your world can have both a positive and negative impact on your life. My approach to treatment is solution focused. We will work together to identify the goals of treatment from the onset and create the path necessary to achieve those goals with concrete, action driven steps. I will draw on your strengths and empower you to create the positive changes in your life you are seeking to make. You can count on me to be supportive and candid with the feedback I provide.
I have extensive experience with early to late adolescents (including college students) and their families. I have collaborated with several school systems and worked on two college campuses. I am well versed in creating behavior plans and in-school counseling goals & objectives for regular education, special education, and 504 students to maximize academic success and emotional health. When your child is struggling academically, socially, or emotionally the impact often ripples down into your home life. The stress and frustration experienced by your child may lead to some poor coping strategies. This may cause tension amongst other family members. My creative style of problem solving motivates most adolescents to create positive change in their lives. I also teach parents effective strategies to help support their child in the home setting, how to diffuse the situation, and restore balance to the entire family system.
In the last 10 years I have had both personal and professional experience working with children diagnosed with intellectual, social learning, and physical disabilities and their families, especially Autism Spectrum Disorder. I understand the unique challenges that special families face as we navigate our way from diagnosis to intervention and beyond. Being part of a special family can be overwhelming at times. It can cause a strain on intimate relationships. It can be difficult for siblings to understand. It may become the only defining variable of your family. It may fragment your family. It does not have to. One of the most important steps in this process is learning how to put a diagnosis in perspective. I will help you realize all the possibilities available to you and your family. I will help you identify activities that will promote successful bonding and fun while strengthening your family unit. I will provide you with social networking opportunities with other special families to reduce your sense of isolation and widen your circle of support. Maintaining hope, happiness, a sense of humor, and balance for the needs of all family members are crucial for a well-adjusted special family. I will guide you and your family with the road map it needs, no matter what part of this journey you are on.