People often seek therapy during times of overwhelming transition or times when they feel agonizingly stuck. As a licensed social worker, I collaborate with my clients to move beyond shame and develop curiosity about their symptoms of distress. My professional background includes inpatient psychiatric care and school counseling, settings where I developed strong crisis management skills and a profound appreciation for the way childhood experiences impact our development across the life course. Everyone has their own story, and I take a trauma-informed, client-centered approach to therapy, supporting each individual in defining what healing means to them.
In the early stages of therapy, I often incorporate cognitive-behavioral strategies and mindfulness skills in order to provide concrete symptom relief, especially for those experiencing acute anxiety, obsessive compulsive tendencies, or body-focused repetitive behaviors. As trust develops, we may examine deeper relational patterns shaped by early childhood, trauma, and identity. I pay special attention to the ways in which oppressive systems and intergenerational family dynamics impact personal suffering. Nothing exists in a vacuum, and situating pain within context can be a powerful step towards increasing self-compassion and identifying opportunities to enhance agency.
During my graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania, I learned to take a person-in-environment approach to care, completed training in cognitive behavioral therapy for suicide prevention through the Center for Deployment Psychology, and earned a certificate in LGBTQ+ policy and practice. I also conducted original research on stigma and body-focused repetitive behaviors, presenting my work at Oxford University. In my free time, I enjoy making collages, going on picnics, and reading library books. I strive to keep creativity, humility, and sensitivity at the center of my practice. Together, we can work to build emotional insight, address limiting beliefs, and explore new possibilities. I would be honored to meet you.
