All of us are in the process of becoming. Our personal and collective experiences—past and present—shape how we feel inside ourselves, how we relate to others, and how easily we can access calm, connection, and self-compassion. At times, we try to protect ourselves or those we love by avoiding pain, fear, sadness, or anger. When those feelings don’t have space, they can show up in ways that feel confusing or hurtful. In therapy, I work to create a relationship where you feel supported, understood, and genuinely accompanied. Together, we explore what lies beneath your hurt and how your experiences, relationships, identity, and history shape the way you feel and respond. We move at your pace, finding ways to bring light, warmth, and possibility into places that have felt heavy or stuck. My work is reflective, collaborative, trauma informed, relational and attachment-based, developmentally grounded, and psychodynamic with an understanding of how early experiences shape all of us across the lifespan.
I have a particular passion for working with individuals, couples, and families who are considering or transitioning into parenting, who are experiencing trauma, grief, or loss during pregnancy, birth, or the early childhood stage, who are parenting babies or young children, and who are navigating significant life transitions or relationship challenges. The transition to parenting is a time of profound change—internally, relationally, and in how you experience the world. Therapy can be a space to explore your hopes and worries and process what has been painful or unexpected. I help parents of young children develop skills for talking, playing, and interacting with your child to strengthen your connection and help your child feel safe, seen, heard, and valued. I can help you and your family navigate challenges such as your own or your child’s intense feelings, difficulties with routines, relationships, or transitions, and experiences that have felt sad, scary, or overwhelming, as well as anxiety, mood changes, or stress related to parenting. Together, we work on noticing patterns, recognizing triggers, reflecting on intention, and choosing how you want to respond in moments that feel hard. Perfection is not the goal. Making it through challenges, repairing when things go off track, and staying connected through uncertainty builds resilience.
I have experience working with individuals, couples, and families experiencing trauma and grief, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, psychosis, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, developmental delays and disabilities, personality disorders, relationship conflict, and life transitions. I have provided coaching, consultation, and training on perinatal mental health, parent-child relationships, and young children’s social-emotional development to parents, caregivers, and other providers. I strive to serve and embrace people across the diverse and dynamic spectrums of sexual orientation, gender identity, sexual expression, cultural identity, neurodiversity, and ways of being in the world. I am committed to standing against oppression and to supporting healing through radical self-acceptance, compassion, and care.
I earned my master’s degree from Aurora University and am certified in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health through the Illinois Association for Infant Mental Health (IECMH-C). I have extensive experience as a psychotherapist, consultant, trainer, and supervisor with a specialization in infant and early childhood relational health at a public health department.
IL LCSW License Number: 149007823
Type 1 NPI Number: 1508985821
Accepts: BCBS PPO and Blue Choice, UnitedHealthCare/Optum PP), self-pay, and out-of-network clients
Selected Training and Affiliation
- Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), certified
- Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for Toddlers (PCIT-T), certified
- Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), internationally rostered
- Approved as Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant, State of Illinois
- Trained in Mothers and Babies Program
- Member of Postpartum Support International
- Certified Trainer, ACT Raising Safe Kids Program, a psychoeducational group for parents of young children developed by the American Psychological Association (APA).
- Completed 57-hour Sexual Assault Advocate Training, DuPage YWCA
- Psychology/Other Counseling Early Intervention credential as provider and evaluator, State of Illinois
- Healthy Families America foundational, supervisor, and program implementation training, with an emphasis on culturally responsive family support
- Trained and experienced in trauma stress control response including 14 hours of group crisis intervention training with The International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF)
- Trained and ongoing consultation received in Facilitating Attuned Interactions (FAN) model
Key Beliefs
- Our experiences live in our bodies, and so does the love we have known.
- Sometimes the most important thing we can do is pause, breathe, and remember: We are here. We are not alone. We are okay.
- Our feelings and behaviors are shaped by our history, culture, identity, relationships, and experiences—whether we are aware of them or not.
- Kindness and compassion are central to healing.
More About Me
People often laugh with me when I’m dancing because I love it—and I can’t stop smiling. I have a personal goal to play with my dogs every time they ask (as long as I’m free). My most memorable travel experience was visiting the moai statues on Easter Island.
