Available Services
Biopsychosocial Assessment
I provide a comprehensive analysis of your child’s developmental, medical, psychological, emotional, social, and behavioral symptoms, including family dynamics, to identify the root issues, fully understand your concerns, and collaborate to develop tailored treatment goals and a plan of action. In addition, I can assist with differential diagnosis and clarification and assess a child’s severity scale as needed. After the completion of the assessment I will discuss my clinical impressions and review treatment options for your child.
Child, Adolescent and Family Therapy
Therapy provides a safe, confidential space where we can work together to discuss and identify solutions for your child’s struggles. Every child’s situation is unique, and I flexibly create individualized interventions to accommodate the specifics of each family’s needs. Sessions are focused, skill building and goal oriented. I can provide support to siblings and family members also navigating this difficult journey.
Crisis Planning
With my extensive experience as the senior child and adolescent therapist at an acute care psychiatric hospital, I have a great deal of knowledge on managing mental health crisis. I can assess your child for self-harm, conduct threat assessments, and provide crisis treatment planning and supportive interventions. (I do not offer 24-hour on-call or immediate crisis services, for emergencies call 911 or go to your nearest hospital)
Parent Consulting and Coaching
Raising children can be challenging and at times, overwhelming. If you are looking to feel more confident in your parenting skills, I offer short- term or ongoing parenting support to help you work through difficult situations and find strategies to enhance successful parenting. The caregiver burden in parenting a child with PANDAS/PANS can be uniquely overwhelming, and I offer emotional support, partnering, guidance, insight, and resources through this difficult journey. I have valuable lived experience as a PANDAS parent, and I truly empathize and desire to meet you where you are and help.
Special Education Support and Advocacy
It can be challenging to understand and navigate the bureaucracy of the educational system, especially with a misunderstood medical or mental health disorder. With my extensive experience as a school social worker and a required member of the special education eligibility team, I have a great deal of intricate knowledge of the academic process, accommodations, and family rights. I can be an effective advocate for the appropriate educational plan and services in school, as needed, to best support your child. I provide Mental Health and PANDAS/PANS knowledgeable support and advocacy with challenges associated to your child’s learning, emotional and behavioral needs. To ensure your concerns and requests are seriously addressed, and needed accommodations for your child are secured, I offer services including:
Direct support to prepare for meetings and understand evaluations
Review records and reports to provide insights for meetings
Coordinate with school team to prioritize your concerns/goals
Identify appropriate available resources and services
Attend meetings and provide clinical collaboration/communication/education
(I will provide a referral if your case requires formal educational advocacy or legal services.)
Care Consulting and Service Planning
At times your child may need additional supportive services to compliment the treatment plan and thrive. As a social worker for over 25 years I enjoy working closely with other professionals and community partners. I have intricate knowledge and skills to help you navigate the mental health/ medical systems of care to build a multi-disciplinary team approach for supporting your child with an integrated approach. I offer services including
Reviewing records and reports for insights
Determining next steps for successful treatment
Developing an organized health record for physicians
Guidance selecting a treatment provider
Communicating and closely collaborating with medical treatment providers
Connecting with local programs and other valuable resources
Helping you navigate and secure the correct services to fit your child’s specific needs
(As needed, I can attend in person for professional clinical collaboration at appointments and meetings.)
Additional Services
Professional Consultations: I provide treatment care consultations for mental health professionals, medical treatment providers and schools.
Educational Outreach and Presentations: I provide in person or virtual presentations and educational training on PANDAS/PANS with CEUs provided.
Licensure Supervision: I provide accessible and affordable clinical supervision to social work interns, licensure candidates or disciplinary actions and I am Virginia Social Work Board approved.
“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men”
-Frederick Douglass