Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With
I specialize in providing comprehensive psychological services for children, adolescents, and adults, with expertise in the following areas:
- Autism: Assessments and support tailored to meet the unique needs of autistic individuals
- ADHD & Executive Functioning Challenges: Evaluations to identify attention-related difficulties and strategies to improve focus and organization
- Learning Disabilities & Dyslexia: Diagnostic assessments and personalized recommendations for educational planning and intervention
- Giftedness & Intellectual Disabilities: Evaluations for individuals across the intellectual spectrum from those with exceptional cognitive abilities (giftedness) to those with intellectual disabilities. We also specialize in twice-exceptional (2e) assessments for individuals who are both gifted and face learning or developmental challenges, ensuring their strengths and needs are fully supported
- Selective Mutism: Evaluations and support for children experiencing difficuly with speaking in specific social situations, helping them build confidence, reduce anxiety, and develop effective communication skills.
- Adoption-Related Assessments & Support: Guidance for families navigating adoption, including therapy to support bonding, attachment, and adjustment, as well as pre-adoption evaluations
- Trauma-Informed Care: Evaluations and strategies to address the impact of trauma, promoting emotional resilience and well-being
- Home & School Collaboration: Support for parents, caregivers, nannies, and educators to create individualized plans for success at home and school
I am committed to empowering individuals through personalized evaluations and evidence-based strategies to help them thrive in all aspects of life.
How Psychotherapy Can Help
Psychological services are a powerful tool for growth, empowerment, and meaningful change. I focus on helping you and your family build on your strengths while addressing challenges in ways that feel purposeful and aligned with your goals. My approach is action-oriented and collaborative. I will work closely with you to identify the changes that matter most to you -whether it is improving communication, building confidence, or overcoming specific challenges related to autism, ADHD, learning challenges, trauma, or other areas of need.
I create personalized strategies to support growth and progress, offering practical tools that you can apply in your daily life. By emphasizing strengths and solutions, I seek to help you or your family gain clarity, develop new skills, and achieve measurable outcomes that support long-term success. My goal is to provide the insights and support you need to take meaningful steps forward, empowering you or your child to thrive at home, in school, at work, and in social relationships.
My View on the Purpose of Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy helps you gain a greater understanding of your or your child's thoughts, emotions, challenges, and strengths, while also providing tools to create meaningful change. It focuses on setting clear goals, identifying patterns that may cause difficulties, and developing effective strategies to overcome them.
Through self-reflection and skill-building, therapy empowers you to shift unhelpful perspectives, build resilience, and take purposeful steps toward growth. Collaborative work together supports lasting change by fostering self-awareness, teaching practical skills, and helping you create a life aligned with you or your family's values and goals.
What I Love about Being a Psychotherapist
What I love most about being a psychologist is helping people gain insight into their or their child's diagnoses, strengths, and challenges. Through comprehensive assessments, I am able to help individuals better understand their diagnoses, strengths, and challenges. This process not only brings clarity but also empowers them with the knowledge they need to take the next steps toward growth and healing. Witnessing that aha moment when someone begins to see their or their child's experiences and patterns through a new, more compassionate lens is incredibly rewarding.
It is also an honor to be trusted with people's most vulnerable moments and to support them as they navigate challenges. Building a relationship of trust and safety allows us to tackle struggles together, step by step. Equally meaningful is the chance to celebrate successes. Sharing in individuals' progress is deeply rewarding, reminding me of the resilience and growth that therapy makes possible.
My Role as a Therapist
As a psychologist, my role is to bring psychological insight, evidence-based strategies, and a supportive space to help you better understand yourself or your child and your experiences. Our work together is a collaborative partnership, where we combine my training and tools with your deep knowledge of your own life and values.
You are the expert on you or your child, and my role is to listen, guide, and empower you as we work toward your goals. Together, we will uncover patterns, build new skills, and find ways to overcome challenges. My aim is to create a safe, nonjudgmental environment where growth feels possible, and progress feels sustainable.
My Therapy Focus
My practice is dedicated to providing compassionate and evidence-based care to children, adolescents, and adults. I specialize in addressing developmental needs, including autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, dyslexia, giftedness, and intellectual disabilities, as well as trauma and adoption-related challenges.
My focus is on helping you better understand yourself or your child and your unique strengths through comprehensive evaluations. By identifying areas for growth and providing personalized recommendations, I aim to empower you and your family to navigate educational, emotional, and social challenges with confidence. Beyond assessment and diagnosis, I also work with you or your child to take action through therapy and targeted interventions that promote meaningful progress.
I take a collaborative approach, working closely with parents, schools, and other professionals to create individualized strategies that foster growth and success. My goal is to equip every client with the tools they need to thrive both in school and in life.
What I Usually Need to Know to Help
Open communication is the best foundation for making progress. To get started, it is helpful for me to understand:
- What Is Working: Are there things you feel confident about or strategies that have been helpful so far? Knowing what is going well can help us build on those strengths.
- What Is Not Working: Are there areas where you are feeling stuck, frustrated, or unsure? Understanding the challenges you are facing gives us a clear starting point for growth.
- What You Want to Work On: Whether it is a specific skill, a bigger goal, or something you would like to feel better about, sharing what is important to you helps us focus our efforts.
My Guiding Ethical Principles
I am dedicated to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment rooted in disability rights advocacy, neurodiversity-affirming care, and equity. These values shape every aspect of my work, guiding me to promote fairness, respect, and accessibility for all individuals.
In pursuit of these principles, I have held advocacy leadership roles within the American Psychological Association and Pennsylvania Psychological Association. Through these roles, I have championed initiatives supporting equity and inclusion, collaborated with community organizations, contributed to publications addressing policy issues, and provided input on congressional bills aimed at improving mental health services and promoting justice.
My approach honors each person's unique identity and cultural background. I prioritize collaboration and cultural sensitivity, tailoring assessments and interventions to align with each individual's values, traditions, and needs. I also emphasize working closely with families, recognizing their essential role in fostering growth and well-being. By encouraging open communication and shared decision-making, I strive to build strong partnerships that empower individuals and their loved ones.
I aim to deliver evidence-based, empowering, and affirming care that promotes growth, resilience, and well-being. My guiding ethical principles reflect a deep commitment to equity, inclusivity, and advocacy, ensuring that every individual I work with feels seen, supported, and valued.
On the Fence About Going to Therapy?
I invite you to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to discuss your goals and any concerns you may have. During this time, I am happy to answer any questions about the process and my approach. My goal is to ensure that you or your child feel comfortable and confident that working together will be a good fit for making progress toward your goals.
Had a Negative Therapy Experience?
From the start of our work together, I ask about both positive and negative past therapy experiences to better understand what has or has not worked for you. This helps guide our work and ensures it meets your needs. I also strive to maintain open communication throughout our time together, encouraging you to share any concerns so I can address them and adapt my approach to best support you.
Important Factors for Choosing a Therapist
Finding the right therapist can make a significant difference in the success of your mental health journey. Two critical factors to consider are expertise and personal fit:
- Expertise in Your Specific Area of Need: Therapists often specialize in different areas, such as trauma, ADHD, or autism. It is essential to choose someone with training and experience related to your concerns.
- Personal Fit: Beyond credentials, therapy is most effective when there is a sense of trust and comfort between you and your therapist. Feeling understood, respected, and supported can make it easier to open up and work through difficult emotions.
Ultimately, a combination of professional expertise and a strong personal connection can create the foundation for meaningful progress in therapy. Scheduling a consultation can be helpful to determine the best fit for you.
What I Say to People Concerned about the Therapy Process
Starting therapy or getting an evaluation can feel intimidating, and it is completely normal to have questions or concerns. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you feel heard and understood. I take a collaborative approach so we will work together at your pace to explore challenges, build insight, and identify meaningful steps toward growth.
Whether you are unsure about what to expect or worried about sharing personal details, we can talk through those concerns openly. My focus is on helping you feel comfortable and empowered as we move forward.
Why Going to Therapy Does Not Mean You are Weak or Flawed
Seeking mental health services is often misunderstood, but the reality is that choosing to prioritize your mental health demonstrates strength, self-awareness, and courage. Therapy or a psychological assessment is a proactive step toward growth, much like going to the gym to build physical strength or seeing a doctor for a health checkup. Reaching out for mental health services means prioritizing your or your child's well-being, recognizing your value, and actively working toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Importance of the Client-Therapist Alliance
I believe, and research supports, that a strong therapeutic alliance is the most important factor in effective therapy. The therapeutic alliance is built on trust, collaboration, and mutual respect. It provides a foundation where you feel safe, supported, and understood as we work together toward your goals. My role is to guide and empower you, even when taking steps forward feels challenging. Therapy is for you, and my priority is to create a space where you feel heard and valued throughout the process.
My View on the Nature of 'Disorders'
My approach is neurodiversity-affirming, which means I view developmental differences not as deficits but as variations in how people think, learn, and experience the world. I focus on helping people recognize their strengths while also acknowledging the areas where they face challenges and collaboratively work towards finding solutions that meet each person's unique experiences.
Further, I see diagnoses as valuable tools for understanding and growth. Rather than labeling or limiting someone, a diagnosis can provide clarity, reduce feelings of confusion, and open doors to resources and support. I work collaboratively with people to help them make sense of their or their child's experiences, normalize challenges, and develop strategies that promote success and well-being. I emphasize building self-awareness and self-advocacy so that individuals can thrive both personally and socially.
The Duration and Frequency of Therapy
For therapy and parent or nanny coaching, sessions are 50 minutes and typically scheduled weekly. However, frequency can be adjusted based on specific needs. My goal is to support you or your child in meeting your goals. The decision to conclude therapy will always be collaborative. For some, this may happen after a few sessions, while others may choose to work together for years. Regardless of the duration, I am here to provide support. After completing therapy, you are always welcome to reach out if you or your child need assistance again in the future.
Social skills groups are also available weekly for 16 weeks.
Assessments are a short-term service, and the number of sessions depends on your specific evaluation needs, which we can discuss during the intake session. The intake session will cover the process, expectations, and goals. After testing, I will provide a feedback session to review diagnoses and recommendations, answer any questions, and discuss follow-up options if needed. Additional follow-up sessions can be scheduled later to revisit results or address further questions. After the evaluation process, I remain available to meet with you or your family for any additional services as needed.
What Makes up a Problem?
A problem is any issue that you identify as negatively impacting you or your child socially, emotionally, behaviorally, or academically. It may cause distress or interfere with functioning, and addressing it often involves seeking support to promote growth and positive change.
