For children and teens in Old Town Tacoma, WA.

Pediatric Counseling

Is the energy in your family filled with intense feelings and disconnection?

Maybe your child…

  • When told, “Ok sweetie, it’s time to clean up and get ready for bed,” shouts “No! I don't want to go clean up! I hate you!”

  • Is playing with a sibling or friend and hits when they don't get their way, you try to support your child calming down in order to work it out, but feel like all your parenting strategies are only escalating their meltdown.

  • While working on homework, becomes stuck, and it leads to a giant meltdown with lots of “You don’t get it,” “I’m so stupid,” and refuse your help.

Maybe your teen…

  • Is frequently withdrawing to their room and when you check in on them they say “Fine, leave me alone!”

  • Struggles with intense anxiety that they find hard to control leading to sleep issues, school challenges, and irritability.

  • Experiences frequent conflict with others, friend drama, or has difficulty in social settings overall.

When your child or teen is having struggles, it doesn’t just impact them alone. It impacts the whole family in nearly all areas of life. If they are struggling to manage or cope with big feelings it can lead to sleep disruptions, difficulty at school, and even refusal to go to school.

This can often mean you are woken up for the 3rd time in the middle of the night to them saying they had a bad dream. Or getting frequent calls at work from your child or teen’s school to report disruptive behaviors and missing homework. When you talk about it with them they become upset yelling, “You just don't get it!” or “I hate school and I hate you!” which then leads to more of the power struggles you’ve been trying to avoid.

You see their talents, strengths, and potential but don't quite know how to help them see it for themselves. You’ve tried time outs, grounding, loss of privileges, and even heart to heart talks. Yet, you still feel at a loss.

You know they need your support more than ever and are doing the best you can to give it, but for some reason it feels like it falls short.

Helping families restore their connections.

My approach is to provide personalized care based on the unique qualities of every child, teenager, and parent who seeks my services.

I thoughtfully tailor support to your specific needs, incorporating both child and parent in the process of treatment. Whether it be a child or teen, parents play a pivotal role in helping them feel better.

Therefore, depending on your particular situation, parents may be attending every session or on an as-needed basis. Additionally, I hold a holistic perspective that considers all factors contributing to your current challenges. I frequently collaborate with schools, doctors, and occupational therapists when necessary, ensuring your family receives the utmost support and attention.

In therapy, parents will gain a clear understanding of their child or teens developmental stages and what specific supports they need to flourish. Children and teens will improve their ability to recognize, express, and cope with feelings both at home and at school. Together you will both learn to work through challenging moments that more often than not end with repair. All of which leads to more happiness and harmony at home.

Finding answers. Finding meaning.

For families whose child or teen has just received a diagnosis such as sensory processing disorder or ADHD, it can be overwhelming to comprehend. I’m here to help you not only understand what's going on for your child but what that actually means. As well as how to incorporate concrete strategies to support your relationship with them, their life at home, their experiences at school, and ultimately their lives. I have 10 years of experience working with various sensory processing disorders, developmental delays, and ADHD. I would be honored to support you through this journey.

I’m here to help your child or teen with:

  • Sensory Processing Disorders

  • ADHD

  • Anxiety

  • Life Transitions (i.e. moving homes, new school, addition to family, elementary to middle school)

  • Difficulties at school

  • Perfectionism

  • Confidence

  • Self Esteem

  • Anger outbursts

  • Crying spells

Therapy can help your child or teen…

  • Express and cope with a wide range of feelings

  • Experience school success

  • Have healthy friendships

  • Gain effective communication skills

  • Form a healthy identity

  • Navigate big life changes with more ease

Therapy can help parents…

  • Gain effective parenting strategies

  • Strengthen their connection with their child or teen

  • Receive support with parenting challenges

  • Improve their communication skills

  • Learn how to advocate for their child or teen

  • Connect with other community resources or support services

Get the support you and your child deserve to thrive.

FAQs

  • No, issues do not need to rise to the level of a medical diagnosis to receive support. You can simply just want some extra support or the peace of mind knowing your family’s emotional health is being taken care of. However, if you are using out of network benefits it will require your child or teen to meet a medically necessary diagnosis.

  • Depending on your specific insurance plan you may have what’s called out of network benefits. You would pay the full session fee upfront. Then you will be provided with what is called a “Superbill” to submit to your insurance provider for partial reimbursement. It will depend on your specific plan as to how much of the fee they will cover. You can call your provider's member services line to inquire about your plans specific coverage. I am also happy to help support you in figuring out coverage.

    Private pay means you pay for services out of pocket. Billing and payments are strictly between provider and client. It also means a diagnosis is not necessary to receive services. Please reach out to discuss which option works best for you and your family.

  • Yes! Parents are immensely important in their child or teen’s journey to well-being. Your involvement will be tailored to the needs of your child or teen. You might attend every session or on an as needed basis. Please note the age of consent in WA state is 13 years old, meaning I need written permission to treat and share information from anyone 13 years old and up. However, because I know the pivotal role parents play I do my best to gain consent from teens to be able to involve parents in their treatment.

  • No, as I believe children are better served through in-person sessions. Additionally, I work best when I am able to have an interactive back and forth play experience. I also frequently incorporate sensory experiences (taste, smell, tactile, movement, etc) into sessions as a part of the holistic services I provide. Lastly, with in person sessions I can better provide therapeutic containment, which is especially important for children struggling with regulating big feelings.

  • How often your child or teen will attend therapy will be dependent upon their current needs. In general, I will consider imminent risk, such as self harming behaviors, as well as the frequency and intensity of symptoms. However, it is ideal regardless of severity of symptoms to attend weekly for at least the first 4-5 sessions in order to build rapport and thoroughly assess. There are situations in which bi-weekly sessions may feel appropriate. Once monthly sessions are reserved for treatment maintenance only. Once an initial intake evaluation is completed session frequency will be discussed.