About Me
I am a licensed clinical psychologist with many years of experience working with clients in New York City, Boston, and San Diego.
I completed my predoctoral internship at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School and my postdoctoral fellowship at the San Diego Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, where I specialized in trauma-focused psychotherapy with military veterans. I have worked in inpatient, residential, and outpatient hospital settings, community mental health and HIV clinics, and a college counseling center.
Born and raised in New York City, I am passionate in serving diverse, multicultural urban populations. I have extensive experience working with individuals of different ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, races, ethnicities, cultures, religions, body sizes, and socioeconomic statuses.
I live in San Diego County with my husband and two children.
My Approach
My PhD training was primarily rooted in contemporary psychodynamic therapy. What this means is that our work together can incorporate safely exploring your emotions (even those that might be painful), identifying and understanding recurring themes or patterns in your life, and talking about how your past experiences might still be impacting you in the present. I also believe that the relationship between therapist and client is critical and that we can use it to learn more about how you relate to others.
Additionally, I have extensive experience integrating Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) into therapy with my clients. DBT is a skills-based therapy that is applicable (I believe!) to all of us, as its goals are truly universal in nature. DBT skills can help us learn how to be more aware and more present in our lives, to more effectively tolerate distress and manage challenging emotions, and to communicate with others more constructively. It can also help us understand our individual triggers and vulnerabilities.
I am also trained in cognitive behavioral (CBT) techniques. Depending on the particular needs and goals of each client, CBT skills in our sessions can include increasing awareness of particular thought patterns that might be getting in your way, as well as practicing how to challenge those thoughts or beliefs, and shift them to be more helpful and self-compassionate.
I have a warm, genuine, and collaborative therapeutic approach. I integrate these forms of treatment as needed and I will adapt our work together based on what I believe you will find most helpful.
Education
Johns Hopkins University, B.A., Psychology, Creative Writing & Poetry, Phi Beta Kappa
Long Island University, Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, Doctoral Dissertation Awardee
Training
San Diego Veterans Affairs Healthcare System
Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School
Mount Sinai Beth Israel, NY, NY
Gouverneur Health, NYC Health + Hospitals, DBT Track
SUNY Downstate Medical Center
Long Island University College Counseling Center
Academic Publications
The effects of early parental death and grief on interpersonal functioning and alexithymia in adults
Licenses
Clinical Psychologist, California (PSY 32031)
Clinical Psychologist, New York (PSY 023898)
Professional Affiliations
Women’s Wellness Committee, San Diego Psychological Association
Postpartum Health Alliance
Postpartum Support International