I am a psychotherapist and an educator in psychology and the implications of addictions. Many life experiences have naturally shaped my interests, personality, and identity. Some of the more profound have been: growing up outside of the U.S., becoming a parent, and being an immigrant while also being part of a culturally diverse family.
In my work as psychotherapist, I strive to establish a safe and trusting relationship with my clients. People are essentially resourceful and at the same time we all experience setbacks that can leave us feeling vulnerable and uncertain. Life transitions, whether wished for or not, all tend to be stressful. When we stay in a difficult mindset for longer than we like and/or the intensity of stress is significant and doesn’t seem to diminish, it tends to impact our ability to function in daily life. The threshold for feeling overwhelmed is different for each one of us and when we feel overwhelmed people show and communicate “overwhelmed” in many different ways – and eventually, like you, some consider “talking with someone.”
I meet my clients with interest, curiosity and the intention to help them uncover and access their strengths and potential. We work collaboratively to identify your needs and from there we search for and adjust tools and skills. Sometimes new tools and skills need to be added and as with everything else, it takes practice to use them effectively. Our sessions together provide the first place to connect with old skills and to learn new ones, however the aim is to take the inspiration and apply it to yourself in your daily life. I consider my role to be that of a support, mirror, and feedback agent with the goal in mind to strengthen your self-efficacy and ability to navigate and heal from the twists and turns of life.
I have extensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. The mental health areas I work with the most are anxiety and mood disorders, trauma and stress-related disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, attention deficit disorders, and borderline personality disorder. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark and a Bachelor’s degree in Education at Blaagaard Seminarium, Soeborg, Denmark. I earned my Master’s degree in Counseling at Governors’ State University, University Park, Illinois. I am currently working on my Doctor of Education degree at University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois.
Selected Training & Affiliation
- ACT Training
- DBT Training
- Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor – Illinois
- 40 hours Illinois Domestic Violence Training
- Level I and II Gottman Training & Gottman Training for Couples and Addiction Recovery
- Systematic Training for Effective Parenting – Parent Educator Training
Key Beliefs
- We all contribute in unique ways.
- Like symbiotic relationships, we need each other to scaffold and nourish, expand growth, and feel safe.
More About Me
My wellness pie has five pieces:
- Regularly being outdoors.
- Always learning and reading – everything is essentially interesting.
- Loving music and dancing.
- Reflecting on life and living – enjoy it especially in company.
- Feeling deeply grateful for the people in my life.
