School-age children, teens, young adults, parents, adults and even senior citizens. I do not work directly with toddlers or preschoolers; however, I do work with parents of toddlers and preschoolers.

My office is in Westport, Connecticut, in Fairfield county.and I work with families across Weston, Westport, Norwalk, Fairfield, Trumbull and Stamford. I’m licensed in both Connecticut and New York, so I can see clients in either state, in person or virtually.

I do not take insurance directly, however, all the services I provide are reimbursable via insurance. I provide documentation you can submit to your insurance for out-of-network reimbursement, and I’m glad to walk you through how that works before you commit to anything.

Yes. As a licensed clinical social worker in Connecticut and New York, I can assess and diagnose. I can’t prescribe medication, but I work closely with pediatricians and specialized child psychiatrists when that’s part of the picture.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a structured, evidence-based approach that connects thoughts, feelings, and behavior. The simple premise is that our thinking about ourselves, others and the world determines how we feel, which then determines what we do. CBT helps folks identify thinking patterns that are causing distress and, most importantly, how to correct a negative mindset. In practice, it means each session has a direction. We name the specific thing that’s hard, work on it, and the client leaves with something concrete to try. With kids, that includes explaining what’s happening in their brain in language that makes sense for their age.

That’s common and it’s workable. Reluctance usually means a kid expects to be lectured or examined. Start with a conversation with me yourself, and we’ll talk about how to introduce it. Parent support on its own is a legitimate place to begin.

Yes, for teens, young adults, and parents in Connecticut and New York. I generally don’t recommend virtual work for younger children, since it doesn’t hold their attention the way in-person does. For families outside those two states, virtual coaching is available.

I’ll say so early rather than late. There are presentations I don’t treat, and when that’s the case I’ll refer you to someone who does. Knowing where to send people is part of the job.