MY BACKGROUND
I graduated from Emory University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and received both my Masters and Doctorate of Clinical Psychology from The George Washington University. Prior to beginning private practice, I completed a Post-Doctoral fellowship at Georgetown University Counseling and Psychiatric Service, where I provided individual and group psychotherapy to college and graduate students. Aside from my work in private practice, I serve as an Associate Clinical Professor at The George Washington University's Professional Psychology Program, where I provide clinical supervision to doctoral level graduate students. I also present on topics related to reproductive and perinatal mental health to new parent groups within the community, and I facilitate ongoing therapeutic groups for individuals and couples expecting their second child.
Over the past several years, I have worked at a variety of mental health facilities around the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, including Marymount University Counseling Center, The George Washington University Center Clinic, Whitman Walker Behavioral Health, and the Episcopal Center for Children. I also completed a one year Pre-Doctoral Internship at The Psychiatric Institute of Washington, where I provided individual and group psychotherapy, as well as psychological assessments, to children, adolescents, and adults. Additionally, prior to beginning my doctoral training, I spent several years working as a Child Psychiatric Specialist on the Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatric Unit at Children’s National Medical Center. I have completed advanced trainings in the area reproductive mental health, including a year-long reproductive psychology course through Integrative Therapy of Greater Washington and a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder certification training through Perinatal Support International (PSI).
MY THERAPEUTIC APPROACH
Therapy can be a powerful tool in relieving distress, learning about oneself, and living a more fulfilled life.
At the core of my philosophy is the understanding that a nurturing, open, and trusting relationship is paramount for therapy to be successful. To that end, I bring warmth, curiosity, and compassion to my clinical work and aim to foster a safe space where you can freely express your thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment. While therapy can be hard work, I aim to work collaboratively with you, to respectfully challenge you, and to assist you on a path toward personal growth and positive change. I believe that everyone possesses strengths and the resources to overcome obstacles; my role will be to help you discover, activate, and build upon your innate abilities in order to live a life you want and deserve.
As a psychodynamically-trained therapist, I believe that our early life experiences shape the way we understand ourselves and interact with those around us. In our work together, I aim to help you identify and become more mindful of the origins of your problematic thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is with this increased insight and deepened understanding that you may learn to live more flexibly, authentically, and with a greater sense of self-compassion. Because everyone is unique, I tailor my work to fit each individual's needs, integrating other treatment modalities when appropriate.