With a Doctorate in Marital and Family Therapy from Loma Linda University and a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University, I am enthusiastic about drawing from research-based approaches and advanced study in working therapeutically with children, teens and families. When kids are facing challenges in development and parents have literally tried everything, I want to expand on opportunities to better understand the needs driving your child's behavior, and help your family find new solutions to end the struggle, so you can get back to enjoying every moment together.

Though I have a background in Early Childhood Education, I have experience working with children from preschool to high school. I have received additional training in DIR/Floortime, a play-based approach to building children's developmental skills, with current certification in Play Therapy. What I have come to know through that training, is just how much children need close, loving relationships as essential to meeting their unique developmental and behavioral needs. Taking an attachment-based approach to child and family therapy and Therapeutic Companion services can help us develop your child's individual strengths, build their trust in relationships, and demonstrate full presence as children communicate how they feel more calmly and clearly.

I strongly believe in including the developmental element of play in order to discover the uniqueness of each child. In addition to my private practice, I teach graduate students as adjunct faculty at Loma Linda University and provide higher level instruction in specialist courses in trauma-focused therapy, creative family play therapy, and supporting children with physical illness and chronic health issues.

Helping children and families through the stages of grief after a loss is an additional speciality of mine. For many years I've been a Lead Counselor at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital’s Camp Good Grief, making sense of feelings and reactions through art, music, dance, and talking it out as each child has experienced the loss of a dear friend or family member.

I am proud to be a part of this intentional team of therapists here at Center of Connection’s Play Strong Institute! I am happy to work with your child and family to create positive behavioral changes and build emotional resilience.