Q&A

Got a question? Check to see if it is answered below. If not, let's chat!

1. Q: I thought therapists either work with children or adults…but you work with both?

A: My doctoral program provided solid training to provide therapy to adults. I additionally sought and obtained specialized clinical experience and education to work with children using both psychotherapy and play therapy. I believe our inextricable link to our childhood beckons me to help children and their families shape future adults with intention, and to understand how adults were shaped by their childhood. My work with children makes me a better therapist to adults, and my work with adults makes me a better therapist to kids. 

2. Q: What is your approach to therapy? What model do you follow?

A: While my work is grounded in the evidence-based practice Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, I borrow from other major models and theories to curate an approach as individual as you. See the “Theoretical orientation” section on my website for more information. 

3. Q: You use play therapy virtually? How does this work?

A: Yes, I do! Born out of sheer necessity in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, I developed methods to deliver play therapy over Telehealth in order to serve children when they needed me most. I have continued to sharpen my teleplay therapy skills though innovation, training, research, collaboration, consultation, and experience. Using computer-based techniques, materials found in the home, and other adaptations, I am proud of the goals my clients and I have been able to reach and what we have accomplished over Telehealth. 

4. How could talking to you help? Can't I just talk to my friends?

A: Having a support system outside of therapy is a huge asset. However, talk therapy is different than just talking, even though it can feel natural and comfortable. I am trained in techniques to conceptualize, plan, and implement strategies to being about real change. Therapy is also an environment specifically designed for focus on you in a way that would mostly be inappropriate in other (healthy) relationships and settings. Though I am authentic, enjoy humor, and truly care about my clients, I am applying interventions back by science to help you reach your goals (even if you can't always tell!)

5. How does playing improve mental health? In your play therapy sessions, do you just play?

A: There is ample research and brilliant writing on the power of play therapy. (See "Theoretical orientation" and "Resources" pages for more information.) In short, the way I play in my sessions is intentional and grounded in theory, drawing from year of training, and supervised experience under a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. 

6. What is the difference between a group and a workshop?

A: Groups (or group therapy) are therapy and all the members are clients. Group therapy is a mental health treatment modality (see "Services offered" for more information.) Workshops, however, are informational and participants are not receiving mental health treatment, even if they do engage in some activities. Workshops may be one-off events or be broked up in to multiple meetings. 

7. How does one "move on" after the death of a loved one?

A: I am often asked by people seeking treatment for grief: How do I move on? When will my child get over this? How long should I expect them/myself to be sad? Grief is often a lifelong experience. That being said, acute grief, or the early period directly following the loss, does look different than later manifestations of grief. The goal of grief therapy is to provide immediate support for the grieving person and to establish adaptive ways of being with the grief so that it can be integrated in to the grieving person's life story.