Our Philosophy
Parenting can be one of the most rewarding experiences, but it can also be filled with unique stressors and many hard days when our cup is just plain empty. We ALL get overwhelmed and We ALL experience and interact with the world around us in many different ways. No way is less or more. That’s why we celebrate neurodiversity by meeting children, caregivers, and teachers exactly where they are!
Children may not have the language, coping skills, or self-control during moments of frustration and may resort to all kinds of behaviors to get their needs met. Parents, you TOO, have needs and there may be days when the stressors of the daily routine has your patience nowhere to be found and you forget to (shall I say) use your “indoor” voice. 🙂 Give yourself grace. Children and parents are simply showing, doing, and telling us what they need the best way they know how in that moment. The question then becomes what are our behaviors telling us we need under that iceburg? We want to help you to become more curious about and decode your child’s and your needs and behaviors. Once we understand the needs and how we experience the world, we can teach you and your child to become better at recognizing and communicating difficult situations and triggers, putting in strategies before situations become too overwhelming, and teaching our kids (and parents) new and individualized ways to meet their needs, self-advocate, and build resiliency,
Although therapy can be challenging at times, we believe that with consistency, motivation, and evidence based strategies, we can help any child and parent take steps towards meaningful change!
About Katrina
Katrina is a native Charlottean (Yes, we exist!) who has loved watching this amazing city change and grow over the years. Although she still needs GPS everywhere she goes! In her free time, you might find her running on the trails or greenway with her run club community, spending time with friends and family, volunteering, getting lost in an audiobook or puzzle, and being endlessly entertained by her dog, Linus. Your child will get to know all about him!
She is Master’s Level Psychologist who specializes in working with children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD and other related developmental and learning differences. She received her Master’s in Clinical Psychology, with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis, from East Carolina University in 2008. In addition to being licensed in the state of North Carolina as a Master’s Level Psychologist, she is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.
After entering the field as a Psychologist (2008) and as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (2010), Katrina observed first-hand how behavior analysis improved the lives of countless children and adolescents diagnosed with Autism and their families. In her years of providing school consultation, home and clinic-based ABA therapy, residential support, psychological assessments, and parent and community workshops, Katrina recognized how this specialized form of therapy can be beneficial for any child and caregiver wanting to make socially significant changes in their life.
I’m so grateful for all the families over the years who have courageously allowed me to journey alongside them and celebrate every big and small victory along the way. You have taught me more than you know!