Services that are evidence-based.

My Approach

I provide an integrative approach to psychotherapy—I am client-centered, strengths-based, and trauma-informed. I'm trained in attachment-based, behavioral, and social learning approaches. I incorporate mindfulness and self-compassion to support parent mental health in building awareness and regulation within a parent-child relationship.

I specialize in dyadic therapy, which is a type of therapy in which the child and caregiver are treated together. I am present in a digital meeting room to help improve the parent-child relationship and support the child’s mental health. I have the training, experience, and empathy to ensure scientific approaches work for your situation. Typically, I provide a “live coaching” model, meaning I provide in-the moment “coaching”, derived from my training and certification as a Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Therapist from PCIT International.

How does Internet-PCIT work?

  1. I will conduct a thorough intake assessment and observe the child in several situations via webcam using a HIPAA compliant video platform. This also offers an opportunity to practice and optimize the use of technology-mediated therapy.

  2. I teach the caregivers specific therapy skills based in social learning, behavioral, and attachment theory so we can increase desirable behaviors and decrease disruptive behaviors.

  3. I coach caregivers in these therapy skills at weekly appointments using a telehealth secure video, which essentially provides a "two-way-mirror" for me to watch the parent-child dyad.

  4. Once caregivers are halfway through treatment, they will learn specific limit setting skills to guide children in following directions that are delivered in a predictable and calm way. Parents are coached in self-regulation techniques that are then modeled for the child.

  5. The majority of families complete PCIT in 12 to 16 weeks. PCIT therapists graduate a family when they have reached “mastery” of the therapy skills. That is, the caregiver has demonstrated they are ready to use the skills on their own and all standardized measures indicate that the child behavior is within normal clinical range.

  • Therapeutic services are based out of the Bellingham area and are currently provided via Telehealth.

    After receiving a referral, an initial intake will occur where I learn about your family and assess how to best meet your needs together. A diagnosis is not required to participate in services; however, I will assess for parent concerns and determine if a diagnosis is appropriate. Regardless of whether a client meets medically necessity for therapy, many families struggle in very specific areas and benefit from the same research that leads clinical cases.

    Sometimes it can be helpful for parents to receive mental health parenting support so they can best meet the social and emotional needs of their child. In these circumstances, I can provide family counseling with or without the child present.

    Treatment typically includes 10-24 sessions of an evidenced-based treatment modality that will be recommended and agreed upon with the client. Consistent attendance is recommended for best results. Treatment is intended to be brief and sustained.

  • Undoubtedly, the pandemic placed unprecedented challenges on families, however, the rapid transition to telehealth has been one positive outcome over the past two years. By using a HIPAA secure video platform, I am able to provide specialized mental health treatment to families across Washington state who may otherwise be limited in their treatment options locally. HIPAA compliant telehealth video appointments offer increased accessibility and convenience. Families are busy - work, school, extracurricular activities. Adding in an additional weekly therapy appointment can often take the back burner when it comes to scheduling. Research collected during the pandemic has confirmed the effectiveness of Telehealth with Internet-PCIT (i-PCIT).

  • PCIT is a highly effective treatment for young children ages 2-8 with behavioral concerns. Many children are referred by their pediatrician or psychologist for treatment in Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and/or Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Substantial research on PCIT has been shown to treat children with trauma, history of maltreatment, foster care, adoption, or challenging behaviors that can emerge during other stressful life transitions.

    More information on PCIT and the efficacy behind PCIT can be found HERE.

PCIT & Online Therapy

Now Offering Individual Parent Therapy—Adjustment to New Parenthood and Beyond.

  • New Parent Identity

  • PMADs

  • Returning to Work

  • Identity

  • Relationship Issues

Therapy for Parents

SPACE stands for Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions and is a parent-based treatment program for children and adolescents with anxiety, OCD, and related problems.

Some of the main anxiety problems treated with SPACE include:

  • Separation anxiety

  • Social anxiety

  • Generalized anxiety

  • Fears and phobias

  • Panic disorder and Agoraphobia

  • Selective mutism

  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder

SPACE was developed by Dr. Eli Lebowitz at the Yale Child Study Center and has been tested and found to be efficacious in randomized controlled clinical trials.

  • SPACE aims to treat children and adolescents with anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Although children do not have to attend SPACE sessions - they are the patients! When SPACE treatment is successful children feel less anxious and function better following treatment.

  • Parents (and other caregivers) participate in SPACE treatment sessions. In most cases the child or adolescent does not need to attend the treatment sessions.

  • Parents who participate in SPACE will learn skills and tools to help their child overcome anxiety, OCD or related problems.

SPACE Treatment

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”

—Viktor E. Frankl