Clinical background & experience

19+ years of practice across VA settings, inpatient care, group therapy, and private practice — shaped by a commitment to deep, thoughtful healing.

Early career · Los Angeles

Veterans Administration, Los Angeles

Clinical training working closely with veterans navigating post-traumatic stress and substance use. This foundation shaped a core belief — that trauma is not something to simply manage, but something that deserves careful, thoughtful healing.

Chicago area

Inpatient, partial hospitalization & intensive outpatient

Supporting individuals through severe and chronic mental health challenges across multiple levels of care. Developed deep skill in helping people stabilize during the most overwhelming seasons of their lives — and build a path forward from there.

Private practice

Individual therapy & group facilitation

Work with individuals navigating postpartum depression, sexual trauma, abuse, and life crises. Facilitated therapy groups for both women and men — creating space for difficult experiences to be processed in a way that feels steady, respectful, and genuinely supportive.

Today

Practicing therapist Professor Researcher Author

Continuing clinical work alongside teaching and research means the latest evidence-based approaches inform every session — bringing both depth and real-world practicality into the therapy space.

Therapy with me is not distant or passive. I am present with you in the process — helping you make sense of what you've been carrying, and move toward meaningful change.

More Than Coping. I Understand the “Why”
Many of my clients are not just looking for tools, they want to understand themselves more deeply. Together, we explore the underlying patterns shaping your thoughts, emotions, and relationships, so change is not just temporary, but lasting.

Depth & Experience You Can Feel
With over 19 years of clinical experience across high-acuity settings and private practice, I bring both steadiness and depth to the therapy space. I don’t rely on one-size-fits-all approaches—I draw from a range of evidence-based methods to meet you where you are and help you move forward in a way that feels meaningful and sustainable.

Grounded, Present, and Attuned
I incorporate mindfulness-based approaches to help you slow down, feel more anchored, and build awareness of what’s happening internally. This creates space to respond differently, rather than staying stuck in automatic patterns.

A Space for Meaning and Direction
If you find yourself asking deeper questions—about purpose, identity, or faith—we can make room for that here. My work includes an existential lens, helping you navigate not just symptoms, but the larger context of your life.

Thoughtful, Individualized Care
Therapy with me is tailored to you. I integrate approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills, somatic awareness, and parts-based exploration to help you understand your experiences more fully and create change that aligns with who you are.