Employee Spotlight – Karen Esterline

⭐Karen Esterline – Early Childhood Mental Health Clinician

🌟I joined SAPCC in December 2023. As part of the Children’s Integrative Services team, I work with children ages birth through 5 (mostly 2–5) who are struggling with emotional and behavioral challenges. I work with both the child and parent through child-led play therapy — a way for children to show us how they see the world, communicate their feelings, and explore their hopes and fears. Parents join in the play to better understand their child’s behavior, and we meet regularly to discuss strategies, goals, and ways for parents to regulate their own emotions — so they can better support their child’s big feelings.

💕The part I love most? Watching the parent-child connection grow. Seeing parents become more patient and children feel truly heard is the ultimate reward. I’m also grateful to work alongside a team of professionals dedicated to supporting families in sometimes challenging circumstances — a team that believes every child and caregiver deserves the best care. 💙