Counseling Methods:
We begin by working together to set goals. Then we work together to meet those goals. The rest of the family is usually involved at some point to help maintain your teen’s changes.
I am a Christian, and if faith is important to you and your teen, we will approach therapy from a Christian perspective.
My Philosophy:
I want to help your adolescent feel better. My hope is for them to enjoy their life again. I want them to feel confident they can handle whatever situations arise. We work together on this goal. I try and include parents in certain parts of the counseling. In most cases I believe that parents should be involved in order for the teen to make lasting changes.
Why Teens Love Working With Me:
They feel comfortable. Because I am a younger therapist, teenagers know I can understand their experiences. This helps them to be more open. Teens often tell me they feel safe to be themselves around me, but still feel challenged to grow.
Why I Love Working With Teens:
We have fun! There are difficult parts of therapy, but we laugh too. Teenagers respond well to a place where they feel understood and can talk freely. I enjoy working with your teen to create that environment.
Experience:
I have been working with teens and their families for several years in various settings. This has ranged from kids just released from Juvenile Hall, to family sessions on an adolescent psychiatric ward, to the teen just trying to figure out where they fit. I also taught in the Psychology Department at Vanguard University.
Education:
Vanguard University: Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology
University of Arizona: Bachelor’s Degree is Psychology with Emphasis in Cognitive Neuroscience
License Information:
I am licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California: MFT # 49367.