From my beginnings as a performer to my career as a social worker, I've always been curious about what makes people tick.  The flexibility and creativity of the theater world informs the work I do as a  clinician. I like to engage with clients and be light on my feet in session. I want to collaborate with clients as part of a team and work together mindfully to get to know and understand the many parts and identities someone holds. My approach to working with clients is that each person or couple is unique and therefore so is each treatment plan. I utilize many modalities depending on each client's needs.

​With individuals I use Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) and its idea that we are all have a present day adult self with the wisdom and knowledge to guide us. We also all have parts that are trying to protect us and parts that are vulnerable. By getting to know these parts, their needs, and their origins we can help vulnerable parts to heal and protector parts or defenses to modify and update. I also incorporate elements of insight-oriented Psychodynamic Psychotherapy to help clients understand how their background and history have shaped who they are today. I also have graduate training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Training (DBT) .
For couples my primary therapeutic modality is Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), a modality in which I have advanced training.  EFT is an empirically-validated treatment that helps couples to identify their negative patterns of communication, deepen their understanding of their own and their partner’s emotions, and foster positive ways of communicating and connecting. Many couples using EFT feel relief in their relationship even after a few sessions.
 
Prior to becoming a therapist, I was a professional actor and educator. I have an undergraduate degree in theater and spent my twenties pursuing a career as a performer, improviser and puppeteer in Chicago, Illinois, working with companies such as  Redmoon Theatre, Bohemian Theatre Ensemble, and Griffin Theatre to name a few. I eventually landed at Catharsis Productions where I was a sexual assault prevention educator for six years. During this time, I performed educational shows and facilitated discussions around sexual assault prevention at colleges and military bases around the world. Because of my background, I have a keen interest in the intersection of the arts and mental health as well a passion for supporting and guiding survivors of sexual violence on their journey to healing.

In my spare time I like to run, spend time with my partner and two young children, and see as much theater as time will allow.
Education and Training:
  • Master's of Science in Social Work, Columbia University, New York, NY
  • Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level 2 Certification with Chris Burris, LMFT & Pam Krause, LCSW & Anna Gartshore, MSW
  • Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level 1 Certification with Mary Kruger, LMFT & Carmen Jiminez-Pride, LCSW
  • Advanced Training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) with Nancy Bravman, LCSW
  • Externship in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with George Faller, LMFT, ICEEFT
  • Core Skills Training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with Zoya Simakhodskaya, Ph.D. & Elana Katz, LCSW
  • Three Years/Ongoing Bi-weekly IFS & EFT Clinical Supervision with Benjamin Seaman, LCSW
  • The New School Counseling Center, Internship in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
  • New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault, Internship in Sexual Violence Recovery and Prevention
  • Washington University in St. Louis, BA in Performance
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