“I offer a safe and non-judgmental environment where I meet children where they’re at…”

Welcome and thank you for your interest in working together! With experience as a practicing school psychologist, my approach to supporting children and adolescents is grounded in collaboration and care for the whole child. By consulting and collaborating with families and schools (when desired) and holistically supporting physical, mental, social-emotional, and educational growth, we can partner together to help your child thrive.

I approach psychoeducational evaluation by first gathering information from children, parents or caregivers, and teachers through multiple ways such as interviews, self-report questionnaires, observations, and academic or cognitive tests. Then I use this information to learn how your child thinks, feels, and behaves across settings and situations and how we might work together to achieve your child’s learning and social/emotional/behavioral goals. Ultimately, based on results of a comprehensive psychoeducational evaluation, I provide recommendations designed to support your child’s growth at home and school and that can be useful in the development of an IEP or 504 Plan, if indicated.

When working with children in therapy, I offer a safe and non-judgmental environment where I meet children where they’re at and partner with children and their families to meet your child’s learning and social/emotional/behavioral goals. Broadly, through a cognitive-behavioral lens and a focus on developing competencies around self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, relationship skills, and social awareness, examples of specific areas we might work on together are feelings identification, emotional regulation, social skills, executive functioning, and problem-solving skills.

Finally, as a Mexican American woman who was a Third Culture Kid (TCK), I have a particular interest in identity development. As such, I hold space in my practice for individuals with diverse backgrounds and within the LGBTQ+ community who are seeking support in their identity development.

My Background

I hold a PhD in School Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and am a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, published author, and faculty member in the School Psychology program at Loyola University Chicago with over 20 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and families and teaching, mentoring, and supervising aspiring school psychologists. Prior to joining Formative Psychological Services, I practiced in person and virtually in public schools and with a school telehealth practice.