A comprehensive intake evaluation is the foundation of treatment. It will help us to identify presenting concerns, strengths, and treatment goals. It also helps to determine whether we are a good clinical fit; that is, if I am the best clinician to help you at this time, or whether a different clinician or clinical service may be more appropriate to meet your needs.

The evaluation will consist of patient history questionnaires, assessment measures, a clinical interview, and a review of available medical records. For youth, I will first meet with the parent(s) and child altogether, and then I will meet with each separately (as long as the child feels comfortable doing so). This process generally takes two sessions.

After the evaluation, I will provide clinical feedback and treatment recommendations. If we mutually agree that it seems to be a good clinical fit, we will develop a treatment plan and schedule follow up visits. If we determine that another provider with different expertise would be a better fit, I will provide you with appropriate referrals and resources.

My approach to child and adolescent therapy is short-term (i.e., 4-6 months), strengths-based, and goal-oriented. I aim to keep the material relevant and engaging. I strive to not only help my young patients address their current presenting problem, but to learn tools that can help them throughout their lives, as they navigate the challenging thoughts, emotions, behavior, and situations that will inevitably arise.

I encourage parents to be involved in treatment; however, this may look different for each patient depending on their age, motivation for treatment, clinical severity, and other factors. Generally, parents of younger children will be more involved in treatment than parents of older adolescents. Treatment of children and adolescents often involves some parent guidance and family sessions in addition to individual therapy. Sessions range from 30-60 minutes and may be once/week or more frequent as needed.

My approach to therapy is short-term (i.e., 4-6 months), strengths-based, and goal-oriented. I help individuals learn about their presenting problems, improve awareness of their inner experiences, change unhelpful patterns of thinking and behavior, tolerate difficult emotions, live in the present moment, and work toward the things that matter to them. The process is collaborative and active. Sessions range from 45-60 minutes and may be once/week or more frequent as needed.

Research shows that parents can be instrumental in the process of change when it comes to child and adolescent mental health problems. Some parent guidance approaches (e.g., SPACE and PMT) can be just as effective as child-focused CBT for certain presenting problems. This means that even if your child is unwilling or unable to actively participate in treatment at this time, therapy can still be beneficial. Parent guidance provides an opportunity learn more about your child’s mental health challenges and evidence-based skills to support them and respond effectively. We can work together to treat your child indirectly. Sessions range from 45-60 minutes and are generally once/week. A typical course of treatment is 3-4 months.