Therapy for Children & Families
In person and online in Newton, MA
Are you a parent of a child who is struggling? Do you feel like you have to do it all? You don’t have to do this alone.
Therapy
Humans develop in relationship to others, and we heal that way too. My focus is on childrens’ relationships with their caregivers - from processing challenging life events to managing hard feelings.
The children I work with may be struggling with worry about friendships and family relationships, challenges with big emotions, doubts about their worth or appearance, academic difficulties, navigating grief and loss, or just adjusting to the realities of living through a pandemic. I support children in navigating these and many other challenging realities of growing up.
About Me
I’m Ann and I use she/her pronouns. I have over ten years of experience working with youth and families to navigate the endless pressure on caregivers to do it all, including having all the answers when their child is struggling. Similarly, I recognize that children and adolescents face mounting social pressure to fit in with peers or to be a certain kind of student. I support families to recognize these stressors and work with them to create space to thrive together. This may include supports to navigate complex and often unjust systems. I am dedicated to disrupting systemic inequities.
I also understand that at times children might feel wary of working with a therapist. I honor a child’s pace and needs and work to build our relationship through play. Depending on what your family is experiencing, I might meet individually with your child, with your whole household, or individually with caregivers to target the best supports for your challenges. In our initial consultation we will work together to find the services that best fit your situation.
I have a background in play therapy, movement-based therapy, and early childhood consultation. I have worked in both outpatient programs and schools throughout Massachusetts.
Specialty in Early Childhood Consultation
My background is in early childhood mental health working with children and families, as well as consulting in numerous preschools and early childhood centers. I am a nationally rostered Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) Provider and reliability trained in completing the Teaching Pyramid Observation Tool (TPOT) for Preschool Classrooms.
Families
Being a caregiver of a young child is no easy feat, and the pandemic has only made things more stressful. The families I work with are struggling with challenging behaviors and big feelings, significant life events, or ongoing family conflict. Family consultation is a place to explore your questions and collaboratively develop tools and routines.
Could small shifts in my parenting approach change my interactions with my child?
My partner and I don’t always agree on how to respond to our child’s behaviors. How do we navigate this?
What does their big response to small setbacks or changes in routine mean?
How do I best respond to my child’s frequent worries?
Together, we'll develop and implement real and life-changing strategies grounded in your parenting style and family culture.
Childcare Centers/Preschools
I offer classroom observations and staff consultation to childcare centers and preschools. I provide customized consultation to centers looking to support children exhibiting challenging behaviors, further develop social-emotional curriculum, and integrate trauma-informed practice.
Are you looking for classroom management strategies to support a student struggling with unsafe/tricky behaviors in the classroom?
Are you hoping to enhance your staff’s ability to support social skill development and teach feelings language?
Do you want to support your students and families who have encountered challenging life events?
If you are a childcare center looking for support you can learn more about my services and next steps here.
I am captivated by the power and expressiveness of children’s play. I am humbled by the resiliency of family systems and the power of connection between a caregiver and their child. I believe deeply in the importance of nurturing children’s emotional needs and equipping families with the tools they need to raise healthy children.
Services & Fees
I offer all new clients a free fifteen minute phone consult to help you determine if I am a good fit for you.
Individual/Family Therapy
$150
or
Insurance:
I am an in-network provider with Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO and PPO.
Childcare Consultation
$150
Sliding scale available, cost to be determined at the start of services
Parent Consultation
$150
Location
In person and virtual sessions available.
My office is at 93 Union Street in Newton Centre, MA, Suite 303A. My suite is located on the second floor which is accessible by stairs or elevator. My practice is on the land of the Pawtucket and Massachusett tribes.
There are a number of options for metered parking. Free 2 hour parking is available a short walk away on Chase Street. I am across the street from the Newton Centre T station.