I was born and raised in a small town outside of San Antonio, Texas. In 2013, I moved to Nebraska for what was supposed to be “only one year”—but then I met my now husband, and the rest, as they say, is history! We settled on an acreage south of Lincoln, where we’re raising our energetic son, who was born in 2021 with a complex congenital heart defect. He keeps me on my toes, and when I’m not working, I’m usually trying to keep up with him!
Whenever I have free time, I love being outdoors—unless it’s really cold or really windy (Nebraska, I’m looking at you). I enjoy hiking, rock collecting, bird-watching and photography, and appreciating all the wildlife around our home. I also have a soft spot for true crime, documentaries, and what I guess are now considered "old" rom-coms.
Those closest to me describe me as compassionate and dedicated, with a mix of empathy, integrity, and a whole lot of initiative. I’m a self-described nerd who loves the social sciences, and I’m known for making cheesy jokes and throwing in plenty of Texas-isms along the way.
Education & Advanced Training
I completed my graduate training in Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, one of the few combined School Psychology/Clinical Child Psychology programs in the country. My training provided a strong foundation in providing integrated psychological services to youth across multiple systems, including schools and juvenile justice settings. I developed advanced skills in comprehensive psychological assessment, multiple therapeutic modalities, behavioral consultation, supervision, and systems consultation. As a practitioner-scholar, I remain focused on providing the best clinical care in accordance with the best available science.
After graduate school, I moved to Nebraska for my doctoral internship/residency at Boys Town in Grand Island, where I enjoyed reconnecting with my own rural roots. During this time, I became a Registered Service Provider with juvenile probation services and gained additional expertise in the identification and treatment of childhood trauma. With a strong desire to collaborate more closely with primary care providers, I pursued a postdoctoral fellowship with the Munroe-Meyer Institute at UNMC, working in rural integrated care clinics in southeast Nebraska. There, I received specialized training in the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders and parent training for behavior disorders.
Rural Integrated Care
I was honored to serve as the first full-time mental health provider at Beatrice Community Hospital & Health System. Over six years, I worked alongside an incredible team to expand behavioral health services from a single provider in one clinic to a full team serving five locations. This expansion meant more than 600 additional behavioral health appointments per month for rural communities. During my time at Beatrice, I was recognized for mentorship, program development, and expanding access to care. I also deepened my expertise in differential diagnosis of complex childhood conditions, clinical supervision for mental health practitioners, collaborative care, and systems consultation.
[A] New View
Change is a necessary and healthy part of growth. My life changed when my son was born with a complex congenital heart defect, requiring open-heart surgery at just one day old and another emergency surgery at five months. At the same time, several other family members faced life-threatening medical conditions. Knowing I needed to balance caring for my family and my patients, I made the decision to establish New View Health Solutions, LLC in 2022—the first local behavioral health service provider in the Roca/Hickman/Firth/Adams area. I live in this community (less than five minutes away!) and am excited to provide accessible, high-quality mental health care close to home. This shift has allowed me to prioritize my family while continuing to support families in my practice, and I couldn’t imagine a better balance.
Telehealth & Teaching
In addition to my in-person practice, I am a strong proponent of using technology to improve access to behavioral health care. I have been an Assistant Professor of Practice at the University of Texas at Austin, where I teach courses in child psychopathology and educational psychology. My teaching philosophy prioritizes critical thinking, student engagement, and real-world application, ensuring future professionals are well-prepared for the complexities of clinical work. I actively integrate research, case studies, and interactive discussions to bridge the gap between theory and practice. I was also an early adopter of telehealth, providing virtual therapy even before the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2020, I have offered weekly telehealth services in Nebraska and in 2024, I obtained PSYPACT authorization to provide telehealth in 42 states/territories under PSYPACT (APIT Mobility #20388). You can learn more here.
If you are considering working with me, you need to know a few things. I:
approach therapy with compassion, dedication, and kindness, providing a safe and supportive environment for my clients. My methods are rooted in evidence-based practices, emphasizing the importance of empathy, integrity, and personal growth. I believe in the power of resilience and aim to empower families through insightful and transformative care. By integrating social sciences and a touch of humor, I foster a therapeutic atmosphere that is both professional and personable, ensuring that each client feels heard, valued, and understood.
am committed to being a lifelong learner, always seeking out the newest strategies that are person-centered and supported by research. I often delve into the details of the treatment modalities I use, explaining acronyms like DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention), and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy). I also frequently explore the brain science behind struggles and ideas for future sessions, making therapy an educational experience as well as a healing one.
believe in a collaborative approach to therapy, especially when working with children. Parents are essential partners in the therapeutic process. While a child may spend only a few hours per month in session, they spend countless hours with their families, where real skill practice must occur. I regularly check in with families to track progress and focus on skill development, aiming for meaningful real-world changes.
am quick to identify strengths and incorporate these—along with a child’s interests—into treatment. I am flexible and always learn so much from the children and families I work with. It is an honor to be part of their journey, and I deeply value the relationships I build with my clients.
view evaluations as an ongoing process with continuous feedback. I ensure that families understand my thought process and findings throughout the evaluation, providing a clear summary of the information gathered. In this way, even assessment is therapeutic.
understand that no single approach fits all. I encourage trying different strategies like "hats" to see which ones fit best, and I am always open to modifying or discarding them as needed.
Children and teens may be referred for behavioral health services for many reasons, such as anxiety, disruptive behaviors, difficulty focusing, anger, frequent complaints of body aches/symptoms without known medical cause, toileting accidents, trauma, and more. As a practitioner in rural areas for more than 10 years, I have experience treating a myriad of concerns and will discuss the evidence-based treatment approaches for your child. There are several areas for which I have additional training or expertise; these are described below.
Neurodiversity: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Neurodiversity is a broad term used to describe individuals whose brains process information differently than what is considered neurotypical. This includes conditions such as autism and ADHD. I am highly skilled in identifying autistic characteristics using a variety of methods, from the structured ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) to the more affirming MIGDAS-2 (Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum, Second Edition). She gathers perspectives from multiple adults in the child's life to ensure a comprehensive evaluation. I often say, “When you’ve met one autistic person, you’ve met one autistic person,” emphasizing the diverse presentations of autism. While social media representations or screeners can provide some direction, they can also be biased and inaccurate. Obtaining a clear diagnosis is only the first step in a longer journey. I not only provide diagnostic clarity but I also enjoy supporting neurodivergent children and their families through behavioral change over the long term. I offer a holistic approach, recognizing the unique strengths and needs of each individual, and help them navigate their path with confidence and support.
Neurodiversity: Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD is often misunderstood as just an attention problem, but it affects executive functioning, emotional regulation, motivation, and self-concept. Many children and teens with ADHD are bright, creative, and deeply passionate about their interests but struggle with impulse control, organization, and managing frustration. I work with children and families to develop practical, research-based strategies that help ADHD brains thrive. Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), executive functioning training, and behavioral approaches, she helps children build self-awareness, improve emotional regulation, and develop skills for managing daily demands. Therapy may focus on building routines, developing problem-solving skills, strengthening frustration tolerance, or improving task initiation and follow-through. Parent coaching is an essential part of ADHD treatment. I help parents understand their child's unique brain wiring and implement supportive, structured, and flexible approaches that reduce stress at home. Therapy is tailored to each child’s strengths and challenges, empowering them to work with their brains rather than against them.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD can present in many forms, from intrusive thoughts and compulsive checking to fears about contamination, symmetry, or harm. I often refers to it as "weaponized imagination". I am skilled at identifying and treating OCD in children and adolescents using evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Inference-Based CBT (I-CBT). I understand the unique challenges OCD brings to daily life and work to create a safe, supportive environment for children and families to address these struggles. By focusing on building insight, reducing distress, and empowering clients with practical tools, I help families move toward greater confidence and freedom from the grips of OCD.
Giftedness
Gifted children often experience heightened emotional sensitivity, asynchronous development, and deep intellectual curiosity, which can sometimes lead to perfectionism, anxiety, or difficulty relating to peers. These children may feel misunderstood, become easily frustrated when things don't come easily, or struggle with overexcitabilities that impact daily functioning. I provide therapy for gifted children and teens that acknowledges the complexity of high ability. My approach helps them build emotional resilience, manage frustration, and develop self-regulation skills while also exploring identity, self-acceptance, and meaningful social connections. I enjoy helping gifted children embrace their strengths while learning to manage the challenges that come with them. For twice-exceptional (2e) children—those who are both gifted and neurodivergent—therapy often includes strategies for managing executive functioning difficulties, addressing anxiety, and developing self-advocacy skills. I recognize that gifted children don’t need to be “fixed” but rather supported in a way that allows them to flourish.
Mood Disorders
Children and adolescents with mood disorders often experience intense emotional highs and lows, prolonged irritability, or difficulty managing overwhelming emotions. Whether a child is struggling with anxiety, depression, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), or early-onset bipolar disorder, I provide compassionate, evidence-based therapy to help them regain a sense of balance and control. Therapy focuses on building emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and self-awareness using approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, and mindfulness-based strategies. Children and teens learn how to identify triggers, manage difficult emotions, and develop healthy coping skills. For parents, understanding and responding to mood fluctuations can be challenging. I also provide parent guidance and coaching to help families navigate mood-related challenges in a way that fosters emotional resilience and strengthens parent-child relationships.
Parent Training and Support
Parenting can be challenging, especially when raising children with unique needs. I offer specialized parent training and support to help parents develop effective strategies to manage their children's behavior, emotional needs, and developmental challenges. I believe in empowering parents with the tools and knowledge they need to foster a nurturing and structured environment at home. Through personalized coaching and evidence-based techniques, I partner with parents to build strong, positive relationships with their children, enhancing their overall family dynamic.
School Concerns
As a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, I have specialized training in understanding the challenges that can impact a child’s success in school. Whether a child is struggling with attendance, anxiety, academics, peer relationships, bullying, or behavior, my goal is to identify the underlying factors, develop meaningful solutions, and collaborate with families and school personnel to create a supportive plan. This may include a comprehensive "psychoeducational evaluation" to include cognitive, social/emotional, and academic or learning disability assessments to clarify strengths, challenges, and the need for accommodations or interventions. By bridging the gap between home and school, I help ensure that children receive the support they need to thrive both academically and emotionally.
Tics, Tourette’s, and Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs)
Tics and BFRBs (such as hair pulling, skin picking, and nail biting) can be distressing, frustrating, and sometimes physically harmful. These behaviors are often involuntary or compulsive, making traditional discipline-based approaches ineffective. I provide Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) and Habit Reversal Training (HRT), both evidence-based treatments that help kids and teens: Recognize early warning signs of tics or urges to engage in BFRBs; Develop competing responses to reduce the frequency and intensity of these behaviors; Identify environmental or emotional triggers that increase symptoms; Address the impact of tics or BFRBs on self-esteem, anxiety, and daily functioning. Since many individuals with tics or BFRBs also experience co-occurring anxiety, OCD, or ADHD, I tailor treatment to support both behavioral management and emotional regulation. My approach is supportive, affirming, and focused on reducing distress while maintaining autonomy over one's body.
Toileting Concerns
Toileting issues like chronic constipation, encopresis, or refusal to use the bathroom can become highly stressful for families. I take a behavioral, developmental, and emotional approach to addressing toileting challenges, which may include: Understanding and breaking the constipation-withholding cycle; Developing structured behavior reinforcement plans to support healthy bathroom habits; Addressing underlying sensory sensitivities, anxiety, or trauma related to toileting; Teaching parent management strategies to support progress at home. This work is often done in collaboration with pediatricians or gastroenterologists to ensure a holistic approach to care.
Medical Adherence and Emotional Well-Being
For children and teens with chronic medical conditions, managing daily treatments and frequent procedures can be overwhelming. I help families develop real-life plans that increase the feasibility of following medical recommendations while reducing distress. This includes support with: Taking medications consistently (e.g., pill swallowing, injection anxiety); Preparing for medical procedures like bloodwork, imaging, or surgeries; Encouraging age-appropriate involvement in self-care routines; Addressing emotional resistance to regimens and reducing medical anxiety. The goal is to help children and families build confidence, reduce avoidance, and make medical adherence a sustainable part of daily life. As an individual who has managed lifelong medical conditions and as a parent raising a child with a complex medical history, I bring both professional expertise and lived experience to this work. I understand firsthand the challenges of balancing medical demands with the need for a full and meaningful life, and I am deeply committed to helping families navigate this journey. For heart warriors and their families, learn more here.