Parenting

Are you experiencing parenting stress? Are you caring for someone with physical, medical, developmental, behavioral, and/or mental health needs?  Are you running on empty?

As a caregiver, you may feel isolated, guilty, judged, helpless, or hopeless.  You may feel that your identity as a parent has colonized your identity as a person.  Your relationships, career, and finances may be suffering.  You might wonder if you and your family can have a fulfilling future. 

I can help you navigate this often painful but ultimately rewarding journey.  I can help you re-write your story with you at the center, while also providing specific skills and suggestions for healing and growth.

Young Adults

Are you a young adult distraught by the state of the world and worried about the future?  Are you experiencing depression, anxiety, or panic?  Are you struggling to find an identity separate from your family?

As a young adult, you’re experiencing the fallout from the errors made by older generations.  And while you might have ideas and energy for solutions, you may also feel disempowered —convinced that the future is a dystopian Netflix show.

As the parent of two young adults and a former therapist at a college counseling center, I understand Gen Z intuitively.  I’ve seen first-hand the many challenges you face, as well as the brilliance, energy, and creativity you bring to the world.  I’ve seen the vocational, financial, and housing barriers you are facing. I’ve seen the toll that racism, discrimination, and prejudice play in your lives.  I truly believe that you can solve many of our global problems, but that you deserve support and guidance along the way.  I can provide a space for you to explore who you are and talk openly without judgment. I can also teach you skills to effectively manage anxiety and depression.

 Adoption, Foster, and Kinship Care 

Are you an adoptive or foster parent?  A birth parent or family member?  An adult adoptee?  Do you love someone who was adopted? 

As someone connected to adoption, you’ve probably seen that adoption is simplified and misunderstood in our culture.  You may be experiencing conflicting feelings of love, gratitude, betrayal, grief, and anger.  You may feel unprepared to cope with unexpected challenges, and lack resources to handle these challenges.

I’m an adoptive parent and have spent many years working within the adoption community.  I’ve had extensive training around issues related to adoption, including parenting, trauma, grief and loss, special needs, child development, and identity, and bring a wealth of knowledge and empathy to my work.  It takes a village – and I view myself as one member of your community.

LGBTQIA+ Community

Are you a member of the LGBTQIA+ community?  Do you have concerns related to sexual orientation or gender identity?  Are you experiencing challenges in your relationships?  Are you facing discrimination, prejudice, worries for your safety, or violence? 

Or is your sexual orientation or gender identity secondary to other challenges in your life?

I’m a member of the community myself, but am careful not to assume that my experience is the same as that of someone else.  My approach is always to listen first and to avoid assumptions.  I understand the complexity of sexual orientation and gender identity, and will ask questions to better understand your individual experience.  I have training, knowledge, and professional experience, but am always learning, and always welcome feedback.