During my postdoctoral training at Massachusetts General Hospital, I specialized in therapy for young adults, and I subsequently worked for over two decades in Boston with undergraduate and graduate students. I have witnessed how the transition to college can be a wonderful and exciting time for families, even amidst feelings of change and loss. However, I have also observed how many young people are affected by worries about their parents’ feelings, beliefs, and expectations.

Over the years, the rising pressures surrounding high school graduation and the college admissions process have created an atmosphere of fear that can heighten emotions, making it difficult for parents to act in ways they intend with their children.

I frequently work with parents of high school and college students who are navigating the college admissions and transition process.

In my community, I have given talks alongside an experienced high school college counselor and an independent educational consultant on how to effectively manage denial and rejection in admissions decisions. After these talks, parents have reached out to share that the session helped shift their perspective and provided them with strategies for navigating the admissions process in the coming months. It helped parents to walk the path forward with their child and foster ways to listen to each other better, to navigate cultural dynamics, and it reminded parents that they are working with the best of intentions—parents may need a space to reflect on how to best do just that. I received feedback that that just a few key pointers can significantly foster connection between parents and teens, helping to support their mental health and to avoid tension and misalignment.

In a GUIDE session, we can discuss your concerns as parents within the current admissions landscape. We will explore fears so that they are addressed intentionally rather than reacted to impulsively. We will prioritize family values throughout the process and establish your goals for your relationship with your child during this transition. Additionally, we can identify any work that may need to be done moving forward.

Key topics we can cover include:

  • Gain perspective on the admissions process as a family to manage relationships during the waiting periods
  • Reflect on expectations, discussing hopes and fears for the future authentically
  • Prepare for admissions decisions, identifying strategies for what to avoid when facing disappointment and how to navigate rejection in the admissions process
  • Become familiar with developmental changes in older adolescents, recognize when mental health may be a concern
  • Identify distorted or black-and-white thinking about admissions
  • Learn how emotion regulation skills can be used as a parent
  • Bridge differences in parental expectations
  • Set a priority of fostering empathy, connection and better communication

These discussions aim to help you navigate this challenging time with greater clarity and connection.

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS:

  • Lexington High School, MA, Senior Parents Presentation 2025, 2024, 2023 (with Amy Selinger, Lauren Watson)
  • Lawrence Academy, MA, Senior Parents Presentation 2025 (with Amy Selinger)
  • National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Annual Meeting, Columbus, OH, 2025 (with Katie Gayman, Amy Selinger, Lauren Watson)
  • Phillips Academy, MA, Parents Presentation 2026 (with Katie Gayman, Amy Selinger, Lauren Watson)

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