Therapy for Kids

My Marietta practice provides therapy for children who benefit from a hands-on, creative approach to understanding and navigating their mental health. Many kids connect more easily through play, art, and non-verbal expression, especially when feelings are big or hard to put into words. I offer individual sessions that meet children at their developmental level, along with parent-only sessions focused on collaboration, problem-solving, and practical strategies to support growth at home. The goal is to help children feel understood, build emotional awareness, and develop tools that carry beyond the therapy room.

Art therapist in Smyrna sitting and drawing with markers on a large sheet of paper, surrounded by art supplies and notebooks.

I see children who are struggling with…

  • Anxiety

  • ADHD

  • Anger

  • OCD

  • Autism/challenges related to their neurodivergence

  • Self-esteem issues

  • Perfectionism

  • Regulating Emotions

  • Big life changes (a move, loss, divorce, etc)

Treatment goals might look like…

  • Emotion identification and regulation
    Learn to recognize, understand, and manage difficult emotions such as anxiety, sadness, anger, and overwhelm in healthy, effective ways.

  • Mind–body awareness
    Build awareness of how emotions show up physically and develop tools to regulate the nervous system and respond to stress signals.

  • Mindfulness and coping strategies
    Teach and practice practical mindfulness techniques and coping skills to reduce anxiety, improve focus, and manage daily stressors.

  • Strength-based skill building
    Identify and build upon personal strengths to increase self-awareness, resilience, and emotional growth.

  • Flexible thinking and problem-solving
    Practice cognitive flexibility to reduce rigid thinking, improve adaptability, and manage frustrations.

  • Confidence and self-esteem building
    Strengthen self-confidence and self-trust through emotional insight, skill development, and positive self-talk.

  • Social skills and communication
    Improve communication with peers, emotional awareness and needs, and relationship skills to navigate social situations more confidently.

  • Healthy outlets for stress management
    Explore creative, physical, and expressive outlets—such as art, movement, or journaling—to process thoughts and feelings in and out of therapy.

In order to address these challenges and treatment goals in session, I utilize evidence based approaches such as:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
    CBT helps children understand the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in a developmentally appropriate way. Through visuals, activities, and play, kids learn to notice unhelpful thought patterns and practice more flexible, realistic thinking that supports emotional regulation and confidence.

  • Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
    ERP is especially helpful for children experiencing anxiety, fears, or obsessive thoughts. Using a gradual, supportive approach, children learn to face feared situations while reducing avoidance behaviors, helping anxiety lose its power over time and increasing a child’s sense of mastery and managing the uncomfortable.

  • Mindfulness Strategies
    Mindfulness helps children build awareness of their thoughts, emotions, and body sensations in the present moment. These skills support emotional regulation, focus, impulse control, and stress reduction, and can be practiced through movement, breathing, and sensory-based activities.

  • Art Therapy
    Art therapy provides children with a creative, non-verbal way to express emotions that may be difficult to articulate. Through drawing, painting, and creative play, children can explore feelings, build emotional insight, and process experiences in a way that feels safe and engaging.

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
    ACT-based strategies help children notice thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, while encouraging values-based actions. This is especially helpful for anxiety, perfectionism, and emotional avoidance.

  • Somatic and Sensory-Based Regulation Strategies
    Body-based interventions help children learn how to regulate their nervous system through movement, sensory input, and grounding techniques. It can be especially beneficial for anxiety, PDA, emotional dysregulation, and stress.

  • Positive Discipline / Parent Management Strategies
    Involving parents through coaching and collaboration helps reinforce skills learned in session. This approach supports consistency, behavior change, and emotional growth within the home environment. In addition, I am certified as a Positive Discipline Educator and utilize many techniques from this perspective.