When your child or teenager is struggling, it can be hard to know what to do next. Maybe they are having bigger emotions, pulling away, feeling anxious, struggling at school, or finding everyday things much harder than they used to. You may be trying everything you can think of to help, while also wondering what is really going on underneath the behaviour.

I believe that every child and young person has a story behind what we see. Sometimes anxiety looks like avoidance. Sometimes overwhelm looks like anger or shutting down. And sometimes what looks like “challenging behaviour” is really a child communicating that something feels too hard, too much, or simply doesn’t work for them.

As a Registered Occupational Therapist, I feel privileged to work alongside children, youth, and families during these challenging times. I have a particular interest in supporting young people experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, emotional regulation difficulties, and complex mental health challenges. I also love working with neurodiverse children and youth, including those with autism, ADHD, and AuADHD.

My approach is warm, curious, and grounded in building a genuine relationship with each young person. I want the children and youth I work with to feel safe being themselves—without judgment or pressure to fit into someone else’s idea of how they “should” be. I take the time to understand what makes each person unique, what matters to them, and what might be getting in the way of them feeling and functioning at their best.

I use evidence-based therapeutic approaches alongside practical, everyday strategies to help young people understand their emotions, develop coping and regulation skills, navigate relationships and routines, and build confidence. I believe therapy should be flexible and individualized, because what works for one child may not work for another.

I also believe that parents and caregivers deserve support. Watching your child struggle can leave you feeling worried, frustrated, or unsure of what to do. I work collaboratively with families, helping parents better understand what their child may be communicating and finding practical ways to support connection, regulation, and success at home and in the community.

Most importantly, I believe in noticing strengths and celebrating progress—even when the steps forward seem small. Sometimes progress is getting through a difficult morning, trying something new, finding words for a feeling, asking for help, or beginning to see yourself in a more positive way.

My hope is that the young people I work with leave therapy feeling more understood, more confident in who they are, and better equipped to navigate life in a way that feels right for them.

As a Registered Occupational Therapist, my areas of focus include child and youth mental health, anxiety, depression, trauma, emotional regulation, neurodiversity, autism, ADHD, AuADHD, and supporting families through challenging times.