Approach & Specialties

Strong emotions can be challenging to manage. You may have noticed your child/teen becoming “moody” or having outbursts like arguing, slamming doors, or throwing things. These reactions can seem to come out of nowhere. You might be feeling like you're walking on eggshells around your child/teen. They may say that no one understands their emotions. Sometimes, they may even say that they want to hurt others or themselves.

Or perhaps you are a young adult who has trouble controlling your emotions and/or behaviors. People have told you that you are “overreacting” or that your emotions are “too intense”. This may have led to arguments or even fall outs in your relationships. You may even feel like your emotions are controlling you and your behavior.

Or maybe you or your child/teen experienced a traumatic or very stressful event. You have tried to resume your normal life, but you (or your child/teen) don’t feel the same. You feel on-edge, down, and disconnected. You often find yourself thinking about the traumatic experience, or you try to avoid thinking about it and reminders of it. People have told you to “move on” or “get over it”, but you feel stuck with the experience.

I have expertise in treating people with all of these concerns. I use evidence-based treatments to treat a range of mental health concerns, with a focus in treating older children, teens, and young adults who:

• Are experiencing mood concerns, such as depression, mood swings, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD), and irritability

• Have difficulties controlling their emotions and behaviors, such as difficulties with anger management

• Have a history of self-harm and/or suicidal thoughts and behaviors

• Have experienced trauma or major life stressors

I provide individual therapy, family therapy, and parent/caregiver support. I am passionate about working with people who have difficulties controlling their emotions and behaviors that may have led to problems in their life, including tantrums/meltdowns, arguments, aggression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, impulsivity, and challenges in their relationships. I also teach parents/caregivers of children and teens strategies to manage challenging emotions and behaviors.

I incorporate a strengths-based and culturally-responsive approach to tailor evidence-based treatments to meet the individual needs of each client. I strive to create a culturally-responsive environment that promotes inclusivity across backgrounds. I am LGBTQIA+ and neurodiverse affirming and welcome discussions around these identities in our sessions.

Modalities Used:

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and DBT Skills Training (information below)

• Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT)

• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT)

• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

In addition, I offer high-quality psychological assessments to children and teens aimed at clarifying diagnoses and providing individualized recommendations. My assessment specialties include comprehensive, evidence-based psychological evaluation to differentiate between mood, anxiety, trauma, and behavioral concerns for diagnostic clarity, treatment planning, and identifying unique strengths and challenges. I also have extensive experience evaluating concerns of ADHD and executive dysfunction, as well as intellectual disabilities and cognitive strengths and weaknesses.

Education and Training

I completed a Bachelor of Arts in psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a PhD in clinical psychology and a concentration in child and adolescent psychology. I completed my pre-doctoral clinical internship at the Virginia Treatment Center for Children. I have advanced training in providing therapy to children and teens with high levels of risk and need, including youth with suicidal ideation and self-harm. After graduating, I completed a postdoctoral research fellowship in the Injury and Violence Prevention Program in the Department of Surgery at VCU.

I have extensive experience in providing evidence-based therapy to children, teens, and young adults to treat a range of mental health concerns. I have worked in a variety of settings, including inpatient psychiatric and medical hospitals, primary care clinics, specialty pediatric clinics (e.g., craniofacial, hematology/oncology), and private practice.

In my free time, I am often spending time with my husband and dog, running, hiking, and cooking. I enjoy visiting local restaurants, spending time with friends, and doing projects around my house.