Areas of Expertise:

• Psychological Assessment (Diagnostic Clarification and related services)

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)/Neurodevelopmental Disorders

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Behavioral Issues

• Education and Learning Disabilities (IEP Consultations)

• Parenting

• Psychosis

Client Focus:

• Infants and Toddler (18 months - 4 years old)

• Children (5-7) 

• Preteen (8-12) 

• Minors (13-17)

Treatment Approaches:

• Individual Therapy

• Coaching

• Play Therapy

• Family Therapy

• Behavioral Activation

• Child/Parent Psychotherapy

Education and Training:

• Post Doctoral Fellowship, San Diego Center for Children

• Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PhD), Alliant International University

• Doctoral Internship, Kennedy Krieger Institute, John Hopkins School of Medicine

• Board Certified Behavior Analyst - BCBA (1-22-62968)

• Masters Degree of Marriage and Family Therapy, National University

Biography:

I am a dedicated clinical psychologist specializing in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of children with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, learning disabilities, and a variety of other developmental delays and genetic disorders. With a compassionate and evidence-based approach, I work closely with children and their families to provide individualized therapeutic interventions that foster emotional, social and cognitive development.

Since 2008, I have worked with children, adolescents, and families across a variety of settings including within hospital, residential, school, home, and community settings. Providing children and families with supports to navigate challenges that arise across situations. I have collaborated with teachers, pediatricians, psychiatrist, and other providers to support overall health for my clients. In addition to seeing clients in therapy, I have provided many presentations to the public and graduate students regarding treatment of children.

With a background in clinical psychology and as a board-certified behavior analyst, I am committed to helping children thrive by addressing their unique strengths and challenges. With a warm and supportive approach, I help empower families, equipping them with the tools and strategies needed to navigate the complexities of neurodevelopmental disorders with confidence and hope.

I know that seeking support for your child can feel overwhelming, and I want you to feel assured that our time together will be built on trust, understanding, and respect. My approach is warm, patient, and compassionate I meet children where they are and create a safe space where they feel heard, valued, and encouraged. For children, I use play-based, engaging, and strengths-focused techniques to help them express themselves, build confidence, and develop essential life skills. Sessions are interactive and tailored to their unique needs, whether that means using games, behavioral strategies, or structured cognitive-behavioral strategies. For parents and caregivers, I provide clear, honest, and non-judgmental guidance to help you feel empowered in supporting your child. I communicate in a way that is practical and easy to understand, ensuring that strategies can be applied at home and in daily life. I also prioritize open dialogue—your insights and experiences as a parent are invaluable, and we will work together as a team. Above all, I strive to create an environment of patience, encouragement, and hope, helping children and families navigate challenges with confidence and resilience.

During my training in psychology, I had the privilege of working with families navigating diagnoses like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and emotional regulation challenges. I witnessed firsthand the struggles parents face in finding the right support, the frustration of feeling unheard, and the lack of support and services to help their child thrive. This experience solidified my passion for helping children and families. I pursued specialized training in neurodevelopmental disorders, behavioral therapy, consultation across environments (including school and community settings), and family support to ensure I could provide the highest level of care. My goal has always been to bridge the gap between challenges and solutions, offering understanding, practical tools, and identifying and connecting support with families needed for growth. What truly drives me is seeing the small but meaningful victories—when a child learns to regulate their emotions, when they make a new friend, when a parent feels empowered instead of overwhelmed, and when families grow stronger together. I believe every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, and every family deserves the right support to help them on that journey.

When working with children and families, I believe that setting clear, realistic, and meaningful goals is the foundation for progress. Every child is unique, and my role is to help them—and their families—identify strengths, overcome challenges, and develop skills that lead to lasting success.

• Step 1: Understanding Your Child’s Needs

• Step 2: Setting Personalized Goals Together, we will define clear and achievable treatment goals that are: Child-Centered – Focused on improving emotional, social, or behavioral skills that matter most to your child. Family-Focused – Helping parents and caregivers feel confident in supporting their child’s growth. Practical & Measurable – Designed to be realistic and trackable, ensuring steady progress.

• Step 3: Implementing Targeted Strategies Using evidence-based interventions, I tailor therapy sessions to your child’s needs.

• Step 4: Tracking Progress & Adjusting as Needed Treatment is an evolving process. Through regular check-ins, we will track progress, celebrate successes, and adjust strategies as needed. My goal is to ensure that both children and families feel empowered, supported, and confident as they move forward.

Starting therapy can feel like a big step, but my goal is to make the first session comfortable, informative, and reassuring for both you and your child. The initial intake session is designed to help me understand your child’s unique strengths, challenges, and needs while providing you with guidance on what to expect moving forward.

• Step 1: Warm Welcome & Building Comfort I understand that new experiences can be intimidating, especially for children. I take time to build trust by creating a welcoming and relaxed environment. Whether it’s through play, and conversation.

• Step 2: Gathering Information I will meet with you as parents/caregivers to gain a thorough understanding of your child’s history and current concerns. We will discuss: Your child’s strengths, interests, and personality; Developmental history, medical background, and any prior evaluations; Behavioral, emotional, or social challenges; School experiences and academic concerns; Your goals and expectations for therapy.

• Step 3: Initial Observations & Discussion Based on our conversation, I will share my initial impressions, discuss possible areas of focus, and outline a plan for moving forward. This may include: The recommended approach to therapy; What future sessions will look like; Strategies you can start using at home; Any additional assessments that may be helpful.

• Step 4: Answering Your Questions & Next Steps I want you to leave the first session feeling informed and confident.