FAQ
Practical Details
My office is located at:
226 West Main Street, Suite 339
Ottumwa, IA 52501
I offer both in-person and secure telehealth sessions, allowing clients to choose the format that best fits their needs.
Yes. I offer secure telehealth sessions in addition to in-person appointments. For children, sessions may include caregiver support and coaching. For adults, telehealth offers a flexible and effective way to engage in therapy without commuting.
Sessions are 50 minutes. Most clients start with weekly sessions to build consistency and support regulation. Over time, some families or adults adjust frequency based on progress and needs. We will talk openly about pacing and what makes sense for your situation.
I require 24 hours’ notice for cancellations or reschedules. Late cancellations are charged the full session fee. This helps protect time reserved for care.
You can schedule an appointment through the contact page, by calling (641) 799-4071 or by completing the intake form on my website. I will guide you through the next steps and help route you to the appropriate service.
Getting Started
It is very common to feel unsure about the first appointment, whether you are coming in for your child or for yourself. In the first session, I focus on understanding what has been hardest lately and what you are hoping will feel different.
With children, I spend time helping them feel safe and comfortable while also talking with caregivers about what is happening at home or school. With adults, we talk about overwhelm, stress, and what your nervous system has been carrying. You don’t need to have everything figured out. The goal of the first session is safety, clarity, and a sense of whether this feels like the right next step.
Many people wait until things feel unmanageable before reaching out. Therapy can be helpful when emotions, behaviors, or stress disrupt daily life, even if there has been no single dramatic event. For children, this often shows up as meltdowns, shutdowns, or school concerns. For adults, it can look like chronic overwhelm, anxiety, or feeling reactive instead of steady. If what you are trying is not working anymore, therapy can help create calmer patterns over time.
That worry comes up often, especially for parents who feel exhausted or adults who are used to pushing through. You are not expected to explain everything perfectly. I ask questions, slow things down, and help name what is happening in a way that feels manageable.
Children are supported through play and developmentally appropriate activities rather than pressure to talk. We take this one step at a time.
Feeling safe and understood matters more than saying the right things. Many clients choose to work with me because I focus on regulation, consistency, and practical support rather than quick fixes or blame.
If you value a calm, steady approach and are willing to participate both in and between sessions, this is often a good fit. The first session is also your chance to decide if the connection feels right.
My Approach
I work best with children ages 3 to 14 who struggle with big emotions, behavioral challenges, or difficulty regulating, along with caregivers who want support and guidance.
I also work with adult women who feel chronically overwhelmed, anxious, or emotionally depleted. In both cases, therapy works best when clients and caregivers are open to learning skills and practicing them consistently. This practice is not a fit for situations that require higher levels of care without additional support.
My work is grounded in trauma-informed care, with a strong focus on regulation before behavior change or insight. I use play-based therapy for children, parent coaching, and skills from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy to support emotional regulation.
With adults, I focus on stabilization, boundaries, and coping skills for daily life. Progress happens through safety, consistency, and small steps over time.
Sometimes. This may include simple regulation strategies, parent tools, or small practices to try at home. Any between-session work is realistic and explained clearly. The goal is to support progress, not add pressure. We adjust expectations based on what feels doable.