Hello, and welcome to my website! I (she/her/ella) am a licensed clinical psychologist with almost 30 years of experience in the mental health field. While I specialize in treating anxiety in children and adolescents, I have extensive experience in treating and managing a variety of disorders, including OCD, phobias, encopresis, enuresis, feeding issues (in young children), ADHD, autistic spectrum disorders, and oppositional behaviors. I primarily use behavioral and cognitive methods that have clear scientific support for their effectiveness and efficiency. My methods are active, directive, and educative; I aim at solving the problems that the client faces here and now. When treating children, I primarily use a family-based approach and particularly enjoy working with families to help them find ways to more positively interact with their children as well as effectively manage and nurture behavior.
For almost two decades now, I have continually facilitated social skills groups for school and middle school-age children who need to learn to more effectively interact with peers. I am certified in the UCLA PEERS® group method. I am also a trained provider of SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) treatment for child anxiety. Equally fluent in English and Spanish, I have received specialized training in working with children with medical problems and concurrent psychological concerns.
My practice embraces diversity and inclusion. I foster an open, welcoming environment and provide affirming care for people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, and identities. You are most welcome here, and you can rest assured that this is a safe space. Please know that I do not support or engage in conversion therapy, as it has been proven harmful and is not founded in science.
In addition to being a licensed psychologist in my home state of Texas, I hold an Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) and can practice telehealth under PSYPACT. This means that I can provide telehealth services to clients residing in or visiting the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. You may see the real-time map of PSYPACT participating states here.
After receiving my doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh, I went on to receive postdoctoral training in pediatric psychology at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital. I have conducted clinical research in the following areas: behavior disorders in children with developmental disabilities, correlates of postpartum depression, and toddlers’ development of a sense of self. I am a member of the American Psychological Association, the Society of Pediatric Psychology (Division 54 of APA), the Texas Psychological Association, the Houston Psychological Association, and the Houston Group Psychotherapy Society. I currently serve on the professional advisory board for the Attention Deficit Disorder Association Southern Region (ADDA-SR), a community organization supporting individuals impacted by ADHD.
I manage my practice personally, responding to phone calls and email communications directly and timely.
