CURIOUS ABOUT ME? GOOD!
Choosing the right therapist to match you and your values is important. Our relationship, the therapeutic alliance, is the crux of your experience in therapy.
I’m a licensed Professional Counselor currently based in Richmond, Virginia.
Since 2009, I have worked within a variety of settings across the country. These have included medical hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, a substance abuse detox unit, higher education as an adjunct faculty member, and community mental health.
I specialize in helping people understand and cope with symptoms related to anxiety, depression, traumatic stress, substance abuse and addiction (your own, or others), various life transitions, and grief and loss, to name a few.
I also have a specialty for helping people identify, and engage in the healing process from, narcissistic abuse. This is the hidden pandemic, if you ask me.
My philosophy is that there is no "one size fits all" approach. I rely on a variety of therapeutic interventions and my experience over the years has allowed me to do this with confidence. Some of the approaches I most often include are mindfulness, psychodynamic, somatic experiencing, CBT, DBT, and existential approaches. I am also trained to conduct EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), which can be very helpful in minimizing the emotional volatility of memories, thoughts, and/or beliefs.
Psychotherapy, to me, is a cohesive balance of art and science. Scientific research is at the heart of my approach. I am always reading something - an article, a chapter or two from one of the ten books I have going at once, or from something I have already read that I want to become better familiar with. Knowledge excites me and applied science is the icing on the cake.
The art is in the relationship we build together. It's in the listening, in the reflecting, and at times finding the humor in things. It is within your trust of me, and in my professional responsibility to you. I take this work very seriously. I take you very seriously.
To balance all of this seriousness, I enjoy hiking, yoga and pilates, cooking, finding new music or listening to what is now considered the "oldies", exploring the Richmond food scene, writing, loving on Olive, connecting with my beloved friends all over the country, and, of course, watching The Office.
I AM A CLIENT-AFFIRMING, PSYCHODYNAMIC, AND TRAUMA-INFORMED PSYCHOTHERAPIST
Client-affirming psychotherapy acknowledges you as the expert on your life, experiences, and history. I meet you where you are to discuss what is important to you, and listen with empathy, curiosity and compassion.
Psychodynamic therapy recognizes that your earlier life experiences and relationships have shaped who you are as an individual and in relationships.
Trauma-informed therapy accepts that suffering and trauma affect a person’s functioning, worldview, and ability to feel safe- and that personal growth can start from pain and loss.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
2010
THE CHICAGO SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
CHICAGO, IL
M.A. Clinical Psychology, Counseling Specialization, Substance Abuse and Addiction Disorders concentration.
2008
RUTGERS; THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ
B.A. Psychology, minor sociology and criminology
2004
BROOKDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
LINCROFT, NJ
A.A. Social Science
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
LPC and CSAC licenses issued in Virginia
ADJUNCT FACULTY
2015 - 2021
Virginia Western Community College
Roanoke, Virginia
This was, without a doubt, the most rewarding experience of my adult life (so far). I enjoyed teaching Introduction to Psychology and Lifespan Development, as well as coordinating class trips to St. Albans, in Radford, VA. I cannot wait to be back in the classroom, whenever the time is right. This was during a difficult time for me personally, so, this helped me remain connected to my roots by giving back to some very bright, intelligent, and spirited students.
LICENSED THERAPIST
2017 - 2020
Horizon Behavioral Health
Lynchburg, Virginia
As a Licensed Outpatient Therapist, I was responsible for managing and facilitating the Women's Intensive Outpatient Program while also conducting individual therapy sessions. I have a passion for educating people about addiction - it is still very much misunderstood and I am committed to continuing to change this old, outdated, and harmful narrative. My focus now has shifted from helping those with the addiction themselves, to helping those whom have been effected by the addiction through that of a loved one.
VARIOUS
2010 - 2015
Chicago Lakeshore Hospital
Chicago, Illinois
There is nothing quite like working within the inpatient psychiatric hospital setting. I held positions as a Mental Health Counselor, then a Lead Intake Clinician, and finally as a Clinical Care Coordinator. These experiences have shaped how I think and continue to inform my clinical skill set and judgement to this day. To learn from some of the best nurses, psychiatrists, and other clinicians is unmatched. I owe much of what I have learned, to them.
DUAL-DIAGNOSIS INTERN
2009-2010
Adventist GlenOaks Hospital
Glendale Heights, Illinois
I was very late in applying for internship during grad school (I honestly don't remember why), and it ended up being the best happy accident. I still quote my mentor, David Bremer, and recite experiences from that time, over a decade later.