My practice
My approach is focused on developing a collaborative and compassionate relationship to promote positive change. I specialize in helping clients examine addictive issues by exploring the function and meaning of their use while also providing practical skills to manage cravings and reduce harm. I also work with family members and loved ones impacted by substance use or other addictive issues in their relationships.
By cultivating a safe therapeutic relationship where I am attuned to your evolving goals and needs, I view therapy as a collaborative process.
I believe in the importance of honoring my clients' role and choice in the treatment process. Together, we can explore the impact of the behaviors you're struggling with to develop a plan that is consistent with your goals and lifestyle.
Mindfulness + Inner Awareness
Mindfulness practices are integrated into my work to deepen our awareness of what’s unfolding in the present moment with curiosity and non-judgment. These practices help develop the capacity to slow down and respond more intentionally to what’s arising. We will work to understand the role that your past experiences continue to impact the present moment. By gaining clarity of what is contributing to the distress you’re feeling now, we can create a path forward that is informed by your goals and needs.
Tools to build inner awareness and understand the interconnection between thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and behaviors are woven into the treatment process. From a more embodied understanding of what is unfolding, we can begin to establish new ways of responding that comes from a place of acceptance and kindness rather than shame and judgment.
Build Resiliency
As the parent of a young child, I’m also aware of the challenges parents face in navigating work-life balance. The needs of parents are often overlooked which exacerbates how we react to stressors and can lead to relying on unhealthy coping tools to get through each day. Rather than being in “survival mode”, I can help you attain more balance and build tools to manage life with less reactivity and distress. This can lead to improvements in your quality of life and increase resiliency to face stressors with more ease.
About Me
I’m licensed as a psychologist in New York and New Jersey. I have a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Virginia Tech and completed my internship and post-doctoral fellowship at Princeton House Behavioral Health. I worked as the Assistant Director of The Center for Optimal Living, an outpatient private practice in NYC, for 12 years where I coordinated clinical services and training activities along with providing psychotherapy. I was the Assistant Director of the Concentration in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counseling at The New School for Social Research for 8 years where I taught and supervised graduate students in psychology. Prior to that, I was a Supervising Psychologist at the Women’s Health Project at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital in NYC for 4 years.
In addition to offering psychotherapy services, I facilitate trainings on a range of topics related to substance misuse, harm reduction, mindfulness approaches, and working with trauma survivors. I'm available to consult with mental health and addiction treatment professionals and organizations as well.