Education, Experience, and My Approach

I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in the state of North Carolina (CO13884). I received my B.A. in Psychology from Elon University and my Masters in Social Work from North Carolina State University. I have been working in the field of child mental health for the past 9 years and have experience in a variety of settings including inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization, and outpatient level of care. I have experience working with underserved populations in the community doing Intensive-In Home therapy and case management. I have worked as a part of multidisciplinary teams of psychiatrists, teachers, dieticians, advocates, case managers, and other therapists. I am also a certified facilitator of the Circle of Security Parenting Program. 

My therapeutic approach is relational, psychodynamic, and trauma informed with an emphasis on attachment and family system functioning. With this approach, I weave in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) techniques and skills.  Together, we will gain insight into your child’s experience and how this informs their thoughts, feelings, and behavior. I use a strengths based approach and often view “symptoms” as a child’s attempt to adapt and navigate their internal feelings and external environment. As a clinical social worker, I understand people exist within the context of their environment and larger systems. Together, we will examine how your family system, school system, local community systems, and macro societal/cultural systems influence your child’s thoughts, feelings, behaviors, relationships, and their identity. We will also discuss ways to advocate for your child in their school and community by identifying informal and formal sources of support, such as an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan or connect you to additional services.