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Wild Flowers

ABOUT ME

I am a licensed psychologist and a mom. My educational and training background include a huge emphasis on child and adolescent development and mental health. In my career I have worked with children, parents, and families in a variety of school, hospital, and community-based settings. 

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However, it wasn’t until I became a parent myself that I truly understood how you can love your kids tremendously and have so many moments of pure joy and satisfaction, yet raising them can also be extremely so emotional, demanding, and complicated. There is often so much pressure to be a “perfect” parent with everything under control, when raising kids is very often messy and unpredictable. I also came to understand how confusing it can be trying to navigate all of the conflicting information and advice out there about what is really best for your kids. This was also when I learned how helpful it is to be surrounded by a supportive community, as parenting can be very isolating,  especially when kids are young.  

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I love working with parents because it gives me the opportunity to integrate my professional knowledge and experience with my personal understanding to support parents where they are at and to help them feel more content, balanced, and empowered as they navigate this phase of life. 

Some of the common themes that underlie my work:

  • No one is perfect, however we are all trying our best. Everyone makes mistakes and we always have opportunities to re-do or repair things we wish we had done differently.

  • What is most important in parenting is showing up consistently for our kids and being responsive when they need us, even if the process is messy and we are imperfect in how we do this..

  • Kids do well in environments where there is a good amount of consistency, routine, as well as clear rules, limits, and boundaries.

  • Children also do well in environments where they have the opportunity to make decision, make mistakes, and step out of their comfort zones.  This is how they learn and grow.

  • All children are different and have different needs. What works for one isn’t necessarily the best thing for another.

  • All families are different and have different structures, values, and priorities. There is no one way to parent, only what works best for your family.

  • It is very helpful to consider children’s behaviors and needs within the specific context of their age and phase of development.

  • Raising kids without a “village” is extremely difficult. This village can include any combination of family, friends, professionals, schools, daycares, and other community supports.

AREAS OF FOCUS

  • Questions and concerns about child and/or adolescent development

  • Questions and concerns about child and/or adolescent mental health

  • Adjustment difficulties relating to transitions,  grief, or other big changes

  • Concerns related to stressful life events or trauma

  • Preparing for life changes

  • Managing challenging behaviors

  • Developing effective household structure and routines

  • Supporting parent-child connection, communication, and tricky conversations

  • Helping parents establish appropriate family rules and limits

  • Scaffolding appropriate independence in children and adolescents

  • Facilitating the development of resiliency and useful coping strategies

EDUCATION

  • Ph.D. in School Psychology

    • New York University, September 2008​

  • B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies

    • Cornell University, June 2000​

  • New York State Psychologist License #018155

Click here to contact me about scheduling your complimentary 15 minute consultation

Return to School can be a tricky time. Click here to listen to my podcast interview with Evolved Education titled "Ways to Support the Mental Health and Well-Being for our School-Aged Children as they Transition Back to School!

Click here to check out my interview in Authority Magazine on Rising With Resilience!
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