I’m Izzy, I have a master’s in social work from PSU and almost a decade of experience working with children. I believe that youth are doing the best they can and it is our privilege to support them, teach meaningful life long skills and provide safe places to explore, take risks, and experience their emotions. This is their very first time navigating life and it can be challenging!

 

I take a collaborative client centered approach to therapy and firmly base my practice in anti-racist, anti-oppressive, strength-based techniques. I have training in Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and somatic work. I’ve had the pleasure to work with children from preschool age up to teenagers, and support them navigating problems from ADHD, depression, and anxiety, to gender exploration, to problems with parents and friends at school. I am really drawn to play therapy because it lets children convey their experiences and process them without the complication of language, allowing for more body-based experiences of healing. I take pride in meeting the client where they are at in their healing journey and prioritizing their goals. 

 

Explaining and learning more about the brain, how it works, and how it’s connected to our bodies is also a passion of mine that I love to share with clients. Even being able to remind yourself to take a breath, drop your shoulders, and take a sip of water while reading through this profile can help calm your nervous system and get you through a task or your day. 

 

As a queer, non-binary, neurodivergent person I adore working with queer clients and families as well and providing competent and knowledgeable care for my community. Experiencing multiple intersections of identity also gives me a strong sense of joy and care that I bring into the therapeutic space, helping me to hold all of the complicated feelings that come with being a human in this wild world. 

 

In my free time I love to garden, cook, juggle,  and play with my family and friends. I also love learning new facts and sharing old ones about nature and animals, as well as creating art alone or with friends!​