Part-time psychotherapist
I am a big believer in respecting, loving, and valuing yourself. In fact, I have dedicated my profession to working with clients to help them gain insight into their true selves in a safe and nonjudgmental environment. As a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor, I focus on helping clients understand their definition of well-being and creating a personal plan for wellness while exploring life’s challenges.
With a passion for learning, I have devoted many years to studying mental health. Beginning at Villanova University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, I continued my studies to receive Master’s degrees in both Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Rider University and Experimental Psychology from American University. I also hold a Doctorate in Pharmacology from Temple University School of Medicine.
I enjoy working with both adult and adolescent populations, embarking on and exploring personal journeys using mindfulness techniques, cognitive-behavioral therapy, trauma-focused therapy, and person-centered therapy to empower clients to better navigate their lives when challenged with mental health, including but not limited to depression, anxiety, substance use, and trauma. I will work collaboratively with clients to set goals and work towards living their best life. Clients will often hear me use the term self-care commitment as I advocate finding ways to relax the mind and body to be fully present in our everyday experiences.
Other information about me:
When I find myself with a few moments of downtime, one of my favorite hobbies is reading. In between a good fiction novel, I find I enjoy reading all things mental health. Here are some great resources, Trauma and Recovery by Judith Herman, Waking the Tiger by Peter Levine and Getting Past Your Past by Francine Shapiro. These books have given me insight into the complex experiences of trauma as well as how to move forward after trauma. Another excellent read for individuals affected by addiction is Beautiful Boy by David Sheff. It offers a true account of the complexities that a family faces when challenged with addiction. As a parent of teenagers, I find I learn the most through real-life applications. I also highly recommend Dr. Lisa Damour’s Untangled, which looks into the stages of adolescence and how we can best support our children during these developmental milestones.
Over the years, I have conducted research and authored several articles on the neurobiology of addiction and nonsuicidal self-injury in the college population. I am a S.A.F.E. EMDR certified therapist, trained in dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), and Gottman (Level 1) Couples Therapy. I am a member of the American Counseling Association, WPATH, and EMDRIA.