About Me
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Endorsed Infant Mental Health Specialist, and Perinatal Mental Health Specialist. I have also completed extensive training in ADHD across the lifespan to become a Certified ADHD Clinical Services Provider. I have been in practice since 2015. I have worked in outpatient and home-based counseling and for a partial hospitalization program for children. I spent the 5 years prior to opening my private practice serving Norman and its neighbors as a children's therapist in community mental health. Prior to that, I was an academic counselor at OU for over 10 years.
Training and Licensure
Endorsed Infant Mental Health Specialist (IMH-E®)
Endorsed Reflective Supervisor
Oklahoma Association of Infant Mental Health
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Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional (PMH-C)
Postpartum Support International
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ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP)
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Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
License number 6595
Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers
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Master of Social Work (MSW)
Direct Practice Concentration
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Areas of Expertise
I am an endorsed Infant Mental Health Specialist (IMH-E®) which means I have had extensive training and reflective consultation in providing therapy to families with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. I have met national training standards and successfully completed a qualifying exam to receive this distinction, and I now provide reflective consultation to others training in IMH. I am rostered in Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), an evidence-based treatment modality for children 0-5 with trauma and attachment concerns. I trained in CPP for18 months while under individual and group consultation. I am also a trained provider of Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), and I am an ADHD Certified Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP). I specialize in building skills and confidence in elementary-aged kids with Anxiety, ADHD, and/or ASD.
I completed advanced training in Perinatal Mental Health through Postpartum Support International to become a Certified Perinatal Mental Health specialist (PMH-C). I am also a trained facilitator of Making Sense of Your Worth and Circle of Security Parenting. Please see the adult section of the What I Can Offer tab for more information about my areas of interest for adults.
How & Why
My Approach & Philosophy
Children
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We will begin our work together examining the issues that prompted you to seek services for your child. I generally schedule an intake appointment via telehealth with the caregiver(s) to talk about your child's history, development, social-emotional functioning, and any past traumas. We will talk about your parenting style and depending on the presenting problem, we may also talk about your trauma history, family of origin, and adult attachment style. This will be done at your comfort level. We will then have an office session with you and your child to allow them to get comfortable with the office and begin building rapport. This is also a time for me to get to know your child and to better understand the relationship dynamic and presenting problems.
I generally meet again with caregiver(s) for a treatment planning session and then we get started with the intervention. This may be done with individual sessions or parent-child sessions depending on the child's age and needs. We will continue to have caregiver sessions throughout treatment to discuss progress and to work on positive parenting techniques and troubleshoot any issues that arise.
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When caregivers are participating in sessions with their child, my expectation is that we will be playing together and having "enjoy with me" moments. Children typically love Child Parent Psychotherapy and other dyadic sessions because they offer an opportunity for special uninterrupted time with their caregiver.
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My philosophy is that supporting parents is the best way to support children. If it has been hard to enjoy parenting, don't feel bad about that. You don't have to do this alone. One of my greatest joys is helping parents and children enjoy each other again. Reaching out for help can be scary, but it's an indication of your love and commitment to your family.
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Adults
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For adults in therapy, I generally schedule an intake appointment via Zoom and then we get started with regular sessions, checking in on our progress periodically or as needs and goals change. We generally use the first 1-3 sessions to each decide if it is a good fit.
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"The parent-child connection is the most powerful mental health intervention known to mankind."
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~Bessel van der Kolk
