Therapy

Approach to Therapy

My approach to therapy is grounded in evidence-based behavioral principles. I work collaboratively with individuals and families to identify meaningful behavioral goals and outline concrete steps to achieve them. Therapy sessions are focused, practical, and goal-oriented. I pair this structure with a person-centered approach, ensuring that each client’s unique values, context, and experiences guide our work together.

Virtual Therapy Services Offered 

Behavior Management—Parenting neurodiverse children can be really challenging and overwhelming! I specialize in supporting caregivers of neurodiverse children—including those with autism, ADHD, developmental delays, and other behavioral concerns. My work with parents is typically conducted without the child present and focuses on equipping caregivers with effective strategies to manage challenging behaviors at home.

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT): As one of the few certified) providers in Indiana, I offer this evidence-based, trauma-informed treatment for families of children ages 2–7. PCIT involves real-time coaching of parents during live interactions with their child. 

PCIT-Toddlers- 1 year to 3 years old- Uses live parent coaching to teach parents how to come in close, assist, reassure, validate emotions, and soothe when toddlers experience the “big emotions” that are characteristic of this age range. PCIT-T includes an adapted parent-directed interaction in which children learn to follow directions through a tell-show-try again-guide procedure. Concerns include:

·        Tantrums

·      Aggression (e.g., hitting, biting, pinching)

·      Fussiness (e.g., screaming, whining, crying)

·      Anger, frustration, head-banging

·      Attachment difficulties (e.g., rejection of parent, difficult to comfort)

·      Separation anxiety or withdrawal from parent

·      Developmental concerns (e.g., autistic behaviors, language problems)

·      Child abuse and neglect

·       Parental stress (e.g., anxiety, dissatisfaction, difficulty coping, lack of confidence)

I’m also trained through the Research Units in Behavioral Intervention (RUBI), a behavioral parent-training program tailored for children with autism and related concerns. This teaches parents ways to manage unwanted behaviors and increase functional communication. This is a parent-only intervention in which caregivers meet one-on-one with me to learn skills to better manage behaviors at home.  

Parent Adjustment to New Developmental Diagnoses- Receiving a diagnosis such as autism, ADHD, intellectual disability, or a genetic condition can feel overwhelming. I provide therapeutic support to help caregivers process and adjust to a new neurodevelopmental diagnosis. I also guide families in navigating recommendations, resources, and next steps for supporting their child and themselves.

Through PSYPACT, I can provide telehealth psychological services to clients located in participating states, including AL, AZ, AR, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, ME, MD, MI, MN, MO, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, and WY.