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Kate Dando MSW, LICSW 

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Professional

About Me

For more than 25 years, my work has centered on supporting parents, young children, and families. I believe healthy relationships are the foundation of emotional well-being, and that every child deserves to experience nurturance, delight, safety, and connection.

Nurturing you, nurturing connection is at the heart of my practice. Whether you are preparing to welcome a baby, adjusting to life as a new parent, navigating the developmental journey of matrescence, supporting a growing child, or moving through a significant life transition, I offer a warm, reflective, and supportive space to help you feel understood, empowered, and connected.


Areas of Focus

My specialties include perinatal mental health, the transition to parenthood, parent-child attachment, infant and early childhood mental health, play therapy, and supporting children and families through developmental and life transitions.

Pregnancy, Postpartum, and the Transition to Parenthood

One of my greatest passions is supporting people through the transition to parenthood. Pregnancy, the postpartum period, and the years that follow often bring both joy and unexpected challenges. Many parents enter this stage with hopes for the kind of parent they want to be, while also navigating stress, anxiety, changing relationships, difficult life experiences, and the realities of caring for a growing child.

Together, we will explore your experiences with curiosity and compassion. We may reflect on how your own childhood relationships, attachment experiences, and family patterns influence your parenting today. My goal is to help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself while strengthening confidence, resilience, and meaningful connection with the people you love most.

Infant and Early Childhood Therapy

I also provide therapy for infants, young children, and their caregivers. Children often communicate through behavior long before they have the words to explain what they are feeling. Rather than focusing only on behavior, I work collaboratively with caregivers to understand the meaning behind a child’s emotions and actions. Together, we support healthy development while strengthening secure parent-child attachment relationships.

Play Therapy for Children

My work with children incorporates developmentally appropriate play therapy, which allows children to express feelings, process experiences, and practice new skills through their natural language of play. Through play, children can safely explore worries, frustrations, relationships, and life experiences in ways that make sense to them.

Supporting Big Emotions, Anxiety, ADHD, and Life Stress

I frequently support children who experience big emotions, anxiety, behavioral challenges, emotional dysregulation, executive functioning difficulties, ADHD, stressful life events, and trauma. Together, we help children develop greater self-awareness, emotional regulation skills, flexibility, problem-solving abilities, and confidence in themselves. I believe resilience grows within the context of supportive relationships, and I work closely with caregivers to help children feel understood, secure, and capable as they navigate life’s challenges.

Whether through individual child therapy, parent-child sessions, caregiver consultation, or family therapy, my goal is to support each child’s emotional well-being while fostering the strong, connected relationships that promote lifelong growth and resilience.

Therapy for Teens and Adults

In addition to working with parents and young children, I enjoy supporting teens and adults who are navigating anxiety, ADHD, emotional regulation challenges, trauma, stressful life experiences, and periods of significant change.


My Approach

Clients often describe me as warm, authentic, thoughtful, and easy to talk with. I strive to provide a humble, nonjudgmental space where you feel heard, supported, and encouraged to grow. I would be honored to walk alongside you as you nurture yourself, strengthen your relationships, and create the future you hope for yourself and your family.

Outside the Therapy Room

When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, gardening, walking, music, boating, capturing photos of special memories and beautiful nature, restorative yoga, and being near water. These activities help me stay grounded, connected, and appreciative of life’s simple moments.