Sometimes children struggle in ways that can’t be put into words. As a parent, you may find yourself wondering whether something deeper is going on, or wishing you knew how to help your child feel like themselves again. 

You may notice that your child is acting differently. Big emotions that seem to come out of nowhere, feeling anxiety about school, difficulty making friends or behaviors that feel confusing and overwhelming. Sometimes, it’s quieter. They start to withdraw, seem irritable, lose interest in the activities they once enjoyed or tell you that they’re fine even when something seems off. 

Of course you want to help. But it can be frustrating when the child can't find the words or the conversations seem to go nowhere. 

Children often don’t process the world the same way adults do. While adults tend to talk through their experiences, children naturally express themselves through play, creativity and imagination. 

That’s where therapy can look a little different. 

As child therapist Gary Landreth says, “Play is the language of children and toys are their words”. When your child enters my therapy room, they’re not expected to sit on a couch and process their emotions. Instead, they’re invited into a space designed for expression, through the use of sandtray, play and art therapy. 

You may see your child building worlds in the sandtray, drawing pictures or using toys to act out their stories. These activities aren’t just play. They are powerful ways that children communicate their experiences, emotions, and thoughts they may not have words for yet. Play may look simple on the surface, but it is a carefully guided therapeutic process that helps children safely express and work through their inner experiences. 

Through this process, I help children safely explore what’s happening in their inner world. Over time, many parents begin to notice small but meaningful shifts. Children who once struggled to express themselves may start communicating more openly, handling big emotions with greater confidence, and feeling more secure both at home and at school. 

You, as parents, are an important part of this process as well. While the therapy sessions focus on your child, I also work with you to share insights, offer guidance, and help you to better understand what your child may be experiencing. Together, we strive to create an environment where your child can grow and thrive, both in and outside of the therapy room. 

When I’m not in the therapy office, I enjoy reading everything from classic literature to the latest research in psychology. I also enjoy playing video games and spending time in the beautiful outdoors that Florida has to offer. Before entering the counseling profession, I served in the military and worked as a first responder, experiences that deepened my appreciation for resilience, life transitions, and the importance of supportive relationships.