When starting therapy you want to feel seen, heard, and understood. I take care to meet you where you are on your journey and help to guide you along your path. Together we can reshape your narrative, heal your history, and co-create the story for your life in the present moment. The clients that I work with face complex issues and life-stressors that have multiple layers, inclusive to a history of trauma, grief and loss, challenges with mood and emotion management, sleep, or substance abuse, which affect their daily functioning, self-esteem, and their sense of self. I work with you to overcome the challenges with managing your emotions and thoughts to improve experiences of anxiety, depression, insomnia, substance abuse, or PTSD. My other areas of focus and interest include perinatal and reproductive mental health, mood and anxiety, trauma, sexual challenges, relationships.
I am a BIPOC therapist with 6 years of clinical experience working with individuals across the lifespan, including adolescents, young adults, and older adults from diverse communities (i.e. BIPOC, GNC, LGBTQIA+). I create a safe and compassionate space for my clients which promotes a healing-environment centered around empathic-understanding, growth, self-discovery, and loving-kindness. I provide my clients with compassionate care, guidance, and patience, along the path toward their healing and recovery. I can help you to change the narrative of your story and adjust the tone of your life to the present moment to help you move forward to the next chapter of your life and achieve your goals.
My educational background has roots in psychology: I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The Ohio State University. I hold a Master’s in Social Service and Administration (AM) from The University of Chicago. I am a LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), EMDR Trained, specializing in MAR or substance abuse counseling. I utilize a client centered and humanistic approach to my therapy. My practice integrates an anti-oppressive framework and feminist lens that I utilize to help you to gently process the complex layers of your history and unique human experience. I have worked in both the private practice and in the community behavioral healthcare (outpatient) setting. I have led both women’s empowerment and mental health (anxiety/depression) as well as substance abuse counseling groups.
My practice is evidenced based and trauma informed. I integrate therapeutic approaches tailored to my client’s needs by utilizing the following interventions: Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy), Culturally sensitive approaches (e.g. the exploration existentialism, duality, and the social, racial, cultural spheres of your human experience), Psychodynamic Theory, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Gestalt, Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness-meditation, Trauma informed therapy, Relational exposure therapy, Solution Focused Behavioral Therapy, Person centered therapy and Strengths-based modalities. I adapt my therapeutic frameworks to fit your needs to help you achieve your goals.
- Type 1 NPI Number: 1871279992
- IL LCSW License: 149025543
- Accepts: BCBS PPO and BlueChoice plans, UnitedHealthcare/Optum PPO, out of network and self pay clients
Selected Training & Affiliation
- EMDR Trained Therapist
- Mindfulness-meditation & Somatic Therapy
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
- Culturally informed
- BIPIOC Therapist
- GNC and LGBTQIA+ allied
- Grief and Bereavement Counseling
- Trauma informed Therapist
- Client Centered
- Crisis Management
- Substance Abuse Counseling
- Assessing and treating patients with PMDD
Key Beliefs
- Our history and development shape our internal world, our thinking, emotion-regulation, and behavioral patterns
- The mind is capable of healing from even the most devastating, traumatic, or disturbing experiences
- Difficult experiences are moments in time that are temporary, they are not permanent states of being or feeling, they are temporary moments; things will change and you will get better
- The mind can be re-wired and healed; our brain can form new and healthier patterns of thinking and feeling that change our behavior and improve our well-being
More About Me
- I love animals and spending time outdoors in nature. I have a dog who I spend most of time playing or walking with.
- I enjoy learning new languages (i.e. I can speak, read, and write in Italian (intermediate); I can write, read and speak Japanese (beginner) and am still learning!).
- I enjoy reading comic books, watching anime, baking (cheesecake or cake pops) and drawing in my free time.
