My philosophy
I love working in a profession rooted in connection, vulnerability, and authenticity. I left a previous career to do this work, and it was the best decision I ever made. As a therapist, my goal is to create a safe, nonjudgmental, and compassionate space, where our relationship itself is part of the therapeutic experience. Trained in psychodynamic therapy and AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy), I embrace the practice of “undoing aloneness.” When we come together in a session, I will join you as you explore your thoughts and feelings. My psychodynamic orientation will guide us into your earlier life experiences, where we will examine how these may have shaped your reactions, perspectives, and core beliefs. My hope is that our work together will provide a healing opportunity, where you can say what you couldn’t say and do what you couldn’t do. On the other side of this release is freedom, flourishing, and thriving!
My background
For over a decade, I have treated people with everyday challenges as well as severe mental illness. I have worked in various professional settings in New York City, including a community health center, inpatient psychiatric hospital, college mental health program, and federal detention facilities. I currently provide clinical supervision to other therapists, and in my own therapy practice I mostly see people with anxiety, depression, PTSD, trauma, spiritual distress, addictions, ADHD, and relationship difficulties.
I hold a master's degree in social work from Columbia University, and I have been a licensed mental health professional since 2014. My previous background was in linguistics, obtaining a bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley (1996) and a PhD from Georgetown (2006). Through linguistics, I learned how language and culture affect perspective, ideology, and mental health, and I bring this cultural competence to my work as a therapist today.