Play Therapy, Teen Counseling, and Parent Support in Houston

Imagine your child carrying emotions they can’t quite put into words—worry, sadness, or even joy that feels too big to express. As adults, we know how healing it can be to share with someone who listens and understands. For children, play becomes that language.

Through Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), I provide a safe, supportive space where children lead the process at their own pace. While it may look like “just play” from the outside, CCPT is a deeply therapeutic approach: when children feel fully accepted and in control, they become more confident, resilient, and open to growth.

In sessions, toys, art, and creative expression allow children to process challenges, explore their feelings, and build lifelong skills like emotional regulation, problem-solving, and self-awareness. Because the child leads, the growth that happens is genuine, lasting, and empowering—real healing comes from processing, not being told what to do.

Caregiver involvement is an essential part of the process. I provide regular check-ins to help you understand and support your child’s progress outside of the therapy room. When helpful, sessions may even take place outdoors, where the calming presence of nature creates additional space for reflection and connection.

As children grow into adolescence, their emotional worlds become more complex—and therapy evolves to meet them where they are. I tailor each session to match a teen's developmental readiness, personality, and unique needs.

Using evidence-based interventions such as CBT (to explore and reframe unhelpful thoughts), ACT (to build values-based awareness), and DBT-informed strategies (for emotional regulation and distress tolerance), I support teens in building insight, self-regulation, resilience, and coping skills.

I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Depending on your teen's needs, I may also incorporate mindfulness, expressive arts, or walk-and-talk sessions. My goal is to take a holistic approach that meets each teen where they are—helping them feel engaged, understood, and supported in meaningful growth.

You know your child best—and your involvement is a vital part of the therapy process. I work closely with caregivers to ensure that progress in therapy carries over into everyday life. Through regular check-ins, collaborative problem-solving, and shared insights, I support you in supporting your child.

When helpful, I also collaborate with school staff to help bridge home, school, and therapy. I draw on years of experience partnering with schools to assist with advocacy, behavioral strategies, and coordination around 504 Plans or IEPs—especially for children navigating ADHD, emotional regulation challenges, or academic stress.

Because every child and family is unique, my approach to parent collaboration and school support is always personalized—focused on what will create the most meaningful progress for your child.

I offer secure, HIPAA-compliant virtual therapy sessions for teens and caregivers. For many adolescents, telehealth provides a flexible and effective way to access support from home—especially for those who feel more comfortable opening up in a familiar setting.

Parent-only consultations are also available via telehealth, which can be ideal for addressing concerns about younger children, receiving guidance, or supporting your child’s progress between sessions.

At this time, I typically recommend in-person therapy for very young children, as they benefit most from the relational, play-based experience. If you’re unsure whether telehealth is the right fit, I’d be glad to talk through the options with you.

The very first session is a parent consultation, held virtually or in person without your child present. This gives us a chance to talk openly about your concerns, your child's strengths, and your goals for therapy. You'll also learn more about what the counseling process looks like and have a chance to ask any questions.

When your child's sessions begin, the focus is on building comfort and connection. I'll spend time getting to know your child through play, conversation, and observation—helping them feel safe, accepted, and understood.

Sessions last about 50 minutes. At the end of each session, I'll briefly share how things went. To support deeper collaboration, we'll also set aside regular check-in times so you feel informed and supported throughout your child's progress—without your child feeling like every session is being "reported on."