Working with children and teens in counseling can be both challenging and deeply rewarding. Young people are still discovering who they are and how they fit into the world, and that process often brings moments of confusion, frustration, or self-doubt. Yet it is incredibly gratifying to witness a child begin to understand themselves more clearly, develop greater emotional awareness, and discover strengths they didn’t know they had. Over time, many kids learn that the very struggles that once felt overwhelming can become opportunities for growth, resilience, and confidence.

I bring over three decades of experience working with children and adolescents in outpatient and other clinical settings. In addition to my professional work, I’m also the father of four children, and raising them has been one of my greatest teachers. Like many parents, I’ve had to navigate the emotional, social, and educational challenges that come with helping kids grow up. Those experiences have deepened my understanding of the pressures young people face today and strengthened my commitment to supporting both children and their families with empathy, patience, and practical guidance.

My work focuses primarily on children and teens ages 7–17. I often use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help young people recognize and challenge unhelpful thought patterns, develop effective coping strategies, and build resilience—especially when dealing with anxiety, frustration, or behavioral difficulties. At the same time, my approach is very relational and present-focused. I aim to be genuinely interested in the child’s world, creating a space where they feel heard, respected, and safe to open up. Building trust and rapport is central to the therapeutic process, because when children feel understood and supported, they are far more able to engage in the work of growing, healing, and moving forward with confidence.