A Parent First, a Clinician Second

Before I was a psychologist, clinician, or consultant, I was, and still am, a parent. I’m the parent of three children, each with their own personalities, strengths, challenges, and pace of development. Despite knowing the “best” strategies for building skills, regulating emotions, and reducing challenging behavior, I learned both personally and professionally that meaningful progress only happens when approaches are truly individualized.

Each of my children needed something different and meeting them where they were became a guiding principle in both my parenting and my work. That perspective shapes how I support families every day: with respect for their unique circumstances and compassion for how hard this journey can be.

How I Found My Way Into This Work

My introduction to this field began with 1:1 work with neurodiverse children and adolescents in family homes and school settings. In the school programs, my work focused on children and teens who often did not respond to traditional classrooms or typical approaches, and the work demanded flexibility, patience, and creativity. Similarly, my work as an in-home behavior specialist and eventually as a licensed clinical professional counselor, focused on supervising and directly providing therapeutic support for children, teens, and families. What started as hands-on support grew into a career grounded in understanding behavior as communication and helping children and families find practical, respectful ways to navigate the world together.

What I Focus On

My early work centered on skill development and supporting children with significant behavioral challenges. Over time, I recognized that families also needed access to specialty services that deeply affect daily life and long-term well-being. This led me to expand my focus to areas such as toileting and sleep, particularly for neurodiverse children, teens, and sometimes adults.

While the settings and techniques I use have evolved, my core value has not: approaching every child and parent with compassion, respect, and an appreciation for their individual journey. My goal is never to “fix” a child or change who a person is, but to empower individuals and families, helping them gain insight, reduce stress, and build a path forward that feels sustainable and hopeful.

Working Together

I bring clinical expertise, real-world experience, and the perspective of a parent who understands that loving your child deeply and feeling unsure of what to do next can coexist, whether your child is young or already an adult in need of specialized support.

I work alongside families as a partner, helping them better understand their child and make informed, individualized decisions that support growth and well-being over time.

Professional Background

I have dedicated over 25 years of my career to clinical, school, and academic service as a clinician, researcher, and full-time faculty member, helping individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders and their caregivers. While direct care is my passion, I also enjoyed the opportunity to create and direct many multidisciplinary clinical programs providing mental and behavioral health services for those with learning or social differences. My work has included oversight of community-based behavioral health supports, clinic-based intervention programs, and behavioral approaches to sleep concerns for individuals with developmental disabilities or medical complexity. I also have extensive experience collaborating with primary care, specialty providers, and educators through tele-mentoring initiatives designed to enhance community-based care for autistic individuals and their families. Today, I continue my passion for serving through independent practice, not just for children, but for affected individuals across the lifespan through comprehensive diagnostic evaluations and behavioral consultation and therapy. 

Professional Credentials & Affiliations