For The Kids Doing Their Very Best to Be Understood
Your child’s behaviors are their way of saying something they don’t yet have the words for.
In therapy, we look underneath the behavior with care and curiosity, helping your child understand their feelings and learn how to express their needs in ways that feel safe and connected.
You don’t have to navigate this alone
I’m so glad you’re here!
Sometimes kids don’t have the words for what they’re going through… but it shows up in their emotions, their behavior, or how they’re doing at school or with friends.
You might notice things like:
Big feelings that come out quickly or feel hard to calm down
Anxiety, worries, or seeming “on edge”
Trouble at school or difficulty focusing
Friend struggles, bullying, or feeling left out
Low mood, withdrawal, or not seeming like themselves
Feeling overwhelmed easily or shutting down
Perfectionism or being really hard on themselves
Nightmares or trouble sleeping
In Person & Virtual Therapy
For kiddos 7 and younger, sessions are held in person to support their developmental needs. At this stage of development, kids tend to connect best through play, movement, and hands-on activities. Being in my office allows us to use play therapy tools and a therapeutic space designed to help children express what they might not have words for yet.
For kiddos 8 and older, I still recommend coming in person when it’s possible, as many children still benefit from the connection and structure of being in the therapy space. That said, telehealth is always an option when it’s needed or feels like the best fit. I know flexibility matters for families, and we’ll figure out what works best together.
In either space, the goal is the same: helping your child feel safe enough to show up as themselves. Comfy clothes, their favorite comfort items, snacks… whatever helps them feel their best is always okay with me ❤︎
Parent Involvement
I believe the relationship between you and your child is one of the most powerful tools for healing.
Because my work is rooted in attachment, we’ll often have brief check-ins before or after sessions to share updates, discuss themes, and stay connected in your child’s care. When there is more to explore or I’d like to provide additional attachment-based guidance, we’ll schedule a dedicated parent connection session. This creates space to better understand your child’s emotional needs, strengthen your connection, and build practical strategies together without taking away from your child’s therapy time.
These sessions focus on helping you understand your child’s behaviors and emotions through an attachment lens, strengthen attunement and co-regulation, and feel more confident supporting your child between sessions.
I also highly encourage parents to consider their own therapy or support alongside their child’s therapy. Naturally, parenting brings up our own emotions, experiences, and patterns… and having a space to process these things can help you feel more grounded, present, and connected as you support your child. When caregivers have support, their children benefit too.
What Guides Our Work Together
There’s no such things as a one-size-fits-all approach here. I’ll pull from different approaches depending on what your child needs in the moment. At the core of it all, the work is about helping them feel safe, attuned, and more connected to themselves.
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Play Therapy
Because play is how children communicate, it gives them a safe way to express big feelings, process hard experiences, and simply be kids.
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Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Helps children understand their feelings, process difficult experiences, understand their needs, and build confidence from the inside out.
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EMDR
Helps children’s brains “unstick” hard or scary memories so they don’t feel so upsetting anymore. It helps their brain file them away in a safer, calmer way so they don’t impact them negatively today.
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Somatic Therapy
Helps children notice what their body is telling them and uses movement, play, and body-based strategies to help them feel calmer, safer, and more connected to their emotions.
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Attachment-based Therapy
Helps children thrive by strengthening the relationship they rely on most, the one with their caregiver.
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CBT
Helps children understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. It teaches them healthy ways to respond to big emotions and build confidence in themselves.
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15 minute consultation call Free!
30 minute parent connection session $100
50 minute parent connection session $165
50 minute individual session $165
I’m an out-of-network provider, which means I don’t bill insurance directly. I’m happy to provide a superbill (receipt of sessions) you can submit for possible reimbursement. I always recommend checking your out-of-network benefits so you know what your plan might cover!
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I see children ages 3 and up, as well as teens and adults.
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The first session is a chance to get to know you and your child, understand what’s been going on, and talk through what you’re hoping will feel different.
For younger children (generally 10 and under), I usually recommend that the first session is parents only. This helps create space for open conversation, sharing information that might be sensitive for little ears, getting a fuller understanding of your child’s experiences, your relationship with them, and the goals you have in mind.
From there, we’ll start shaping a plan together that feels supportive and aligned with your family’s needs. I’ll always meet your family where you are.
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No two sessions look the same, because no child walks into my office the same way every week.
Play therapy is child-led, which means I follow your child's pace rather than a strict agenda. Children naturally communicate through play, so instead of expecting them to sit and talk about their feelings, I use the play they choose to better understand their thoughts, emotions, and experiences.
Some days we're using play to help them express what's going on inside. Other days we're working through big feelings as they come up, practicing coping skills, building confidence, or learning new ways to navigate challenges. As your child grows and their needs change, our sessions grow and change with them.
A big part of this work is supporting the parent-child relationship. I collaborate with parents through brief check-ins, parent-child work, and dedicated parent connection sessions when there is more to explore. Together, we’ll focus on strengthening attachment, building attunement, and better understanding what your child’s behaviors and feelings may be communicating so you can feel more connected and confident supporting them at home.
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My office is located in Gilbert at:
4365 E. Pecos Rd.
Building 8, Suite 119
Gilbert, AZ 85295
I also offer telehealth sessions, whatever makes you feel the most comfy.
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Click HERE to reach out and schedule your first session or consultation call! I am so excited to meet you and truly honored to be able to support you. Talk to you soon!!
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If you are in crisis or need immediate support, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. You can also call or text 988 for 24/7 support from the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
For urgent mental health support that does not require an emergency room visit, you can also contact MIND 24/7, a walk-in mental health urgent care that provides support from mental health professionals for children, teens, and adults. In Arizona, they have a Mesa location and Phoenix location. You can call or text the Mesa location at 1-844-646-3247.
If you are in a moment that feels unbearable, please know that you do not have to face it alone. Your life matters, your presence matters, and even when things feel incredibly heavy, support is available.
If you are able to stay safe but are feeling overwhelmed, consider reaching out to someone you trust or someone who can simply be with you through this moment. Sometimes we need support to help us carry the things that feel too heavy to hold on our own. You deserve care, compassion, and support.
Frequently Asked Questions
“There’s no such thing as a bad child, there’s no such thing as a dysfunctional child, there is no such thing as anything other than a brilliant child who is doing exactly what the need to do to try to heal & try to help other people understand what they’ve lived, what their perception is, & what it’s like to be them.”
- Lisa Dion
Ready to take the first step?
I'd love to connect, answer your questions, and learn more about what brings your family here. Let's schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if we're the right fit!