Getting to Know My Practice
WHAT AGES DO YOU WORK WITH?
I work primarily with children and teens, along with the parents and caregivers who support them.
DO YOU OFFER IN-PERSON AND ONLINE SESSIONS?
Yes. I see clients in person in Encino, CA, and offer online sessions for families throughout California.
WHAT ARE YOUR CREDENTIALS?
I am a licensed psychologist in the state of California. I hold a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology from James Madison University, completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in trauma psychology at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, and am certified in TF-CBT with EMDR certification currently in process. Full details are on my [About page].
IS YOUR PRACTICE LGBTQ+ AFFIRMING?
Yes, this is a proudly LGBTQ+ affirming practice, welcoming to every kind of family.
WHERE IS YOUR OFFICE LOCATED?
My office is in Encino, conveniently located near the 101 and 405 freeways.
DO YOU WORK WITH FOSTER AND ADOPTIVE FAMILIES?
Yes. I have specialized experience supporting children navigating foster care, adoption, and complex family transitions.
Getting Started
DO YOU OFFER A FREE CONSULTATION?
Yes. It's a short call to talk through what's going on and see if we're the right fit, no pressure, no commitment.
HOW DO I SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT?
Reach out through my [contact form], or by phone or email. I typically respond within 48 hours.
WHAT HAPPENS IN THE FIRST SESSION?
The first session or two is about getting to know your child and your family, not diving into hard topics. I want your child to feel safe and comfortable before we do anything else.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHILD NEEDS THERAPY, OR IF THIS WILL PASS ON ITS OWN?
If your child's distress is affecting their sleep, friendships, school, or sense of self, or if your gut is telling you something isn't right, it's worth a conversation. A consultation doesn't commit you to anything.
WHAT SHOULD I HAVE READY WHEN I REACH OUT?
Just a brief sense of what's going on with your child. We'll cover everything else together on our first call.
Trauma and Stressful Life Experiences
DO YOU TREAT TRAUMA IN CHILDREN?
Yes. Trauma-focused care is one of my primary specialties, including EMDR and TF-CBT.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PTSD AND COMPLEX PTSD (CPTSD)?
PTSD typically follows a single frightening event, while CPTSD, a diagnosis recognized in the ICD-11, usually develops after prolonged or repeated trauma and includes additional difficulties with emotional regulation, self-image, and relationships.
WHAT THERAPY APPROACHES DO YOU USE FOR TRAUMA?
Primarily TF-CBT, widely considered the gold standard treatment for childhood trauma, and EMDR, recognized by the World Health Organization as an effective trauma treatment.
HOW DOES TF-CBT WORK?
TF-CBT is a structured, short-term therapy that builds coping skills first, then gently guides your child through processing what happened at their own pace, with parent sessions running in parallel throughout.
HOW DOES EMDR WORK?
EMDR uses guided eye movements, taps, or sounds while your child briefly recalls a difficult memory, helping the brain reprocess it and reduce its emotional intensity, similar to what happens naturally during REM sleep.
Anxiety & Depression
DO YOU TREAT ANXIETY IN CHILDREN AND TEENS?
Yes. Anxiety is one of the most common conditions I see, and it's highly treatable with the right support.
DO YOU TREAT DEPRESSION?
Yes, in both children and teens, including depression that hides behind a high-achieving exterior.
WHAT DOES PERFECTIONISM OR BURNOUT LOOK LIKE IN HIGH-ACHIEVING KIDS?
Often it looks like fear of making mistakes, all-or-nothing thinking, exhaustion, or a sense that their worth is tied entirely to their achievements, even in kids who seem to have it all together.
WHAT APPROACH DO YOU USE FOR ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, AND PERFECTIONISM?
I draw on cognitive-behavioral approaches, adapted to your child's age, helping them notice unhelpful thought patterns, gradually face what they've been avoiding, and rebuild a healthier relationship with themselves.
Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
DO YOU WORK WITH NEURODIVERGENT CHILDREN, INCLUDING AUTISM AND DOWN SYNDROME?
Yes. I provide neurodivergent-affirming therapy for children and teens with autism, Down syndrome, intellectual disabilities, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental differences. My approach is informed by advanced training through the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Other Related Disabilities (LEND) fellowship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA).
WHAT DOES "NEURODIVERGENT-AFFIRMING" MEAN?
It means therapy that meets your child exactly as they are, honoring how their mind works rather than trying to make them fit a mold.
General
WILL I BE INVOLVED IN MY CHILD'S TREATMENT?
Yes. Parent involvement is built into how I work, not an occasional update, but ongoing collaboration throughout.
HOW LONG DOES TREATMENT TYPICALLY TAKE?
It depends on your child and what brings them to therapy. Some children make meaningful progress in a relatively short period, while others benefit from longer-term support. Treatment length can be influenced by your child’s pace, how consistently sessions are attended, parent involvement, and how much the skills and strategies we develop in therapy are practiced between sessions. We’ll regularly review your child’s progress together and adjust treatment as needed. My goal is to provide your child with the help they need without keeping them in therapy longer than necessary.
DO YOU PRESCRIBE MEDICATION?
No. As a psychologist, I don't prescribe medication, but if I think it could help, I'll work with you to connect with a trusted psychiatrist or pediatrician and work directly with the provider to provide comprehensive, interdisciplinary care.
DO YOU TAKE INSURANCE?
I'm an out-of-network provider, and my fee is $300 for a 50-minute session. I can give you a superbill to submit to your insurance, since many plans offer out-of-network reimbursement. I also hold a limited number of sliding scale spots, so reach out to see if one is open.
WHAT IF THIS IS URGENT?
This practice is not equipped for crisis or emergency care. If your family is in crisis, please call 911, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency department.