As a clinician with a varied background in sociology and diversity studies, I believe in the profound powers of human connection/relation as the most impactful elements on the quality of the human experience. I have a deep appreciation for the aspects of human connection that have been historically required for the enactment of social movements towards liberation from bias and broken systems—in fact, where would many of us be in this history if there were no power in connection and collaboration?
And still there is work to be done as your own history unfolds. As such, I use a framework of relational cultural theory, with underpinnings in CBT and psychodynamic approaches, to develop a liberated space in which individuals can express themselves whilst safely and warmly growing through the therapeutic relationship we build together. I find that my work can often be boiled down to three primary steps: encompassing the therapeutic relationship in the unyielding trust, respect, and warmth of my personality; developing collaborative insight with clients regarding their goals/obstacles; and finally using the strength of our therapeutic bond to provide opportunities for challenges/growth towards those collaboratively-set goals. I feel comfortable bringing my personality, my humor, and my deep joy for helping and listening to sessions, in hopes that my clients feel comfortable bringing their personalities, memories, and emotions into the same space. Many clinicians may refer to my process as being saturated with the “use of self” as the instrument by which healing occurs—my goal is to help my clients see themselves as efficacious, powerful, and lovable through the therapeutic experience.
I received by master’s degree from New York University in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness. My prior professional experiences are varied and include: diversity and inclusion work at the collegiate level, education at the collegiate and primary school levels, political/legislative volunteer work, and linguistics lab research. As a budding clinician, I have experience successfully working with clients who have exhibited with presentations akin to/affected by: anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, sexual assault, race-based trauma, history of childhood neglect, identity development, relationship concerns, and some emergent personality disorders.
