Diagnostic Evaluation
A comprehensive, clinical diagnostic evaluation is the foundation of treatment. It will allow us to identify current problem areas, strengths, and treatment goals. The evaluation consists of a clinical interview which typically takes between 1-2 hours, as well as the completion of a client history and standardized diagnostic questionnaires. For adults, the evaluation is scheduled over 1 or 2 sessions. For children, I will first meet with parent(s)/ guardian(s) and will then schedule a time to meet with the child. For adolescents, I will meet with parents and the teen together and separately. After the evaluation, I will provide diagnostic feedback and we will collaboratively identify a treatment plan that meets your goals.
My goal is to ensure that you are getting the right treatment with the right therapist. If we determine that I am the best provider to move forward with your treatment plan, we will begin treatment and schedule regular follow-up sessions. If we determine that another provider with different expertise would be a better fit, I will provide you with appropriate referrals and resources.
Please note, a clinical diagnostic evaluation is intended for the purpose of providing a clinical diagnosis and directing therapeutic treatment. I do not prescribe medication. I do not provide forensic evaluations for legal cases, nor do I provide neuropsychological or psychoeducational testing required for academic accommodations.
Adult Individual Therapy
My approach to individual therapy is short term and goal oriented. I utilize Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to address a wide range of problems (see problems treated below). These skills based approaches allow individuals to change unhelpful thinking and behaviors, improve awareness of, and control over emotions, increase tolerance of difficult emotions, and enhance ability to live mindfully in the present moment. Throughout treatment we will monitor your progress and make any necessary changes to help you continue moving towards your goals.
Therapy sessions are typically 45 minutes weekly, though this may vary based on the type of treatment. Therapy can be brief (12-16 sessions) or may last longer depending on your presenting problems and goals.
Please note, I am not offering a comprehensive DBT program in my practice at the present time.
Problems Treated:
Depression Executive Skills Deficits (AD/HD)
Emotion Dysregulation Adjustment Concerns
Loss Social Anxiety
Health Anxiety Performance Anxiety
Worry Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Chronic Pain Gender Dysphoria
Couple Therapy
I offer an integrative approach to couple therapy that offers coaching in specific strategies to improve a couple’s communication and problem solving, as well as emotion focused techniques to enhance feelings of connection, respect, and mutual admiration. I draw upon Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy, Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy, Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Couples, and Family Systems Theory. Special attention is also paid to individual social location, as well as intergenerational relationship patterns.
Therapy sessions are typically 50-60 minutes weekly, though this may vary based on need. Couple therapy can be brief (8-12 sessions) or may last longer depending on your presenting problems and goals.
Common Problems Addressed:
Divorce, Remarriage, & Blended Families Communication Issues
Frequent or High Conflict Infidelity
Emotional Distance Significant Life Events
Financial Difficulties Childrearing or Parenting Conflicts
Lifestyle Disagreements Family of Origin/ Extended Family Issues
Child & Adolescent Therapy
When working with children and adolescents, my priority is to ensure that therapy is a helpful and validating experience. My job as a child psychologist is to not only address a child or adolescent’s current difficulty, but also to establish therapy as a resource they feel comfortable coming back to over the course of their lives. It is important that my young clients feel heard and understood, and that their goals are prioritized.
My approach to child and adolescent therapy is short term and goal oriented. I utilize Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to address a wide range of problems (see conditions treated below). These skills based approaches, allow individuals to change unhelpful thinking and behaviors, improve awareness of and control over emotions, increase tolerance of difficult emotions, and enhance ability to live mindfully in the present moment.
When working with younger children, I expect that parents/ guardians are actively involved in therapy sessions and support their child in practicing new skills between sessions. Throughout treatment we will monitor your child’s progress and make any necessary changes to help continue moving towards their goals.
Please note that I am not offering comprehensive Adolescent DBT at the present time.
Problems Treated:
Depression Executive Skills Deficits (AD/HD)
Emotion Dysregulation Adjustment Concerns
Separation Anxiety Loss
Performance Anxiety / Test Anxiety Social Anxiety
Health Anxiety Worry
Oppositional Behavior Family conflict
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Chronic Pain
Gender Dysphoria
Parent Coaching & Family Therapy
At every developmental stage there are new parenting challenges that demand a unique set of skills tailored to your particular child. Parent coaching provides an opportunity to better understand your child’s current emotional reactions and behaviors, and receive guidance regarding effective, evidence-based strategies to support and respond. Parent coaching is offered as a stand alone treatment and can be incorporated into ongoing individual therapy, as needed.
Few things in life are more frustrating than a family stuck in a pattern of ineffective communication and conflict. I provide family therapy to help families get unstuck and find new, more effective ways of communicating and problem solving. I utilize Parent Management Training, Collaborative Problem Solving, and Behavioral Family Systems Therapy when working with families. Family therapy is offered as a stand alone treatment and can be incorporated into ongoing individual therapy, as needed.
Pediatric Psychology
Having a child with an acute or chronic health condition poses unique challenges and increased stress for families. I provide therapy for children, adolescents, and families coping with acute and chronic medical conditions, and related emotional, and behavioral disorders. I have particular expertise in working with children and adolescents struggling with adherence to medical regimens and those diagnosed with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. I take a skills-based approach to help individuals and families learn strategies to improve functioning and well-being. I work to optimize physical, behavioral, emotional, and social health to make living with medical conditions easier and treat co-occurring stress, anxiety, mood, and behavioral sequelae.
Gender Identity Counseling
I provide compassionate and gender affirming assessment and therapy for children, adolescents and young adults questioning their assigned gender and/or moving through their transition process. I have worked with the Transgender Center at Saint Louis Children’s Hospital for the past three years. My goal in providing gender counseling is to help young people understand and embrace their unique gender identity and navigate any changes needed to live their most authentic and meaningful life. Each individual’s gender journey is unique, so everyone's gender care will look different. I also provide counseling and education to family members. Subjects often addressed in gender counseling include, gender experience and development, gender education and awareness, support through transitions, coming out to family, friends, school, and community, navigating school/ work, and accessing community support.
I will conduct a readiness evaluation and provide letters of support for gender affirming pubertal suppression and hormone therapy for ongoing therapy patients. I do not provide readiness evaluations/ letters of support for non-therapy clients.