We want to be amazing parents and all want our kids to be healthy, successful, and feel good about themselves. But no parent is given an instruction manual and sometimes, despite our very best efforts, our children experience challenges we never wanted them to face. Your marriage or relationship might not have worked out as you planned, there might be a medical issue in the family or an unexpected loss, or the social or academic environment at school is overwhelming or painful for your child. Or—quite simply— you might not be having the close, loving relationship with your child you had always hoped for and feel overwhelmed trying to figure out what is happening with your child or teen.

I support children and their parents in navigating the unexpected with self-awareness, healthy self-esteem, and the ability to self-soothe— all while building positive social skills.

Growing up, girls are often told they are too sensitive or too needy, or if they express strong opinions or anger, they are often directly or indirectly minimized or criticized. This can leave them unprotected and vulnerable to traumatic experiences. Symptoms like depression, anxiety, perfectionism, and self-injurious or self-sabotaging behaviors can replace a growing girl’s sense of esteem and power over her choices and desires.

Boys are also vulnerable to traumatic experiences because of the messages they receive. Boys are often expected to be strong protectors who are sensitive to others’ needs while managing their own array of feelings by themselves. Especially if they have high sensitivity or lack caring male role models, there is often no outlet for boys to express their emotions and worries effectively, which can lead boys to engage in self-harming, bullying or fighting behaviors.