I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan and received my Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Psychology with a Minor in Spanish from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. After college, I moved to Chicago and obtained a master’s degree and doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. After spending some of my adult life in San Diego, California, I have now made my home again in Chicago since 2015.
I’ve worked in a vast range of clinical settings before developing my private practice, including psychiatric inpatient and outpatient hospitals, an LGBTQ community mental health center, substance abuse rehab, an emergency room, homeless shelter, and several universities. With a love for teaching and public speaking, I served as the Director of Paraprofessional Training at the University of Illinois at Chicago for 8 years where I was in charge of training students to become counselors at a crisis hotline and run support groups on campus, and I taught two university courses each semester related to crisis counseling and counselor development. I am also a registered yoga teacher and teach mental health-focused yoga classes at a substance abuse rehab in Chicago.
While my private practice is physically in Illinois, I am a member of PSYPACT, which allows me to see clients in Illinois and over 40 states across the country remotely via video or phone sessions (psypact.org/mpage/psypactmap)
I would describe myself as an adventurer, free spirit, and lifelong learner. In my spare time, I enjoy staying active and being out in nature living life according to my values. The water is my happy place, and I enjoy swimming competitively and sneaking out on my paddle board in Lake Michigan whenever I get the chance. I am frequently found hiking at national parks and traveling the world to experience new cultures and ways of life. A notable favorite was trekking the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal (sister mountain to Everest) and studying eastern philosophies there, which influence much of my approach to life now. Most of the photos used on this website are snapshots from my various journeys. I am also endlessly fascinated by psychology and human relationships and continually learning new skills and approaches to bring to my clinical work.
After a biking accident left me with a severe concussion, I developed a passion for health and wellness research and optimizing my cognitive, physical, and emotional health. I enjoy living a yogic lifestyle with a regular yoga and meditation practice and strive to have a healthy, whole foods diet. I can’t get enough of Thai and Indian food, while a greasy slice of pizza will forever be my weakness. I greatly value multiculturalism and learning from people of different backgrounds and walks of life than me, and I strive to live by the feminist values of equality and respect for all people.
A bodhi tree is the fig tree under which the Buddha was believed to have obtained enlightenment. My hope for you on your therapy journey is that together we help you obtain your own enlightenment in your life, helping you gain tools and wisdom to overcome challenges to becoming your best self in your life and relationships.
I believe a holistic assessment is critical in helping someone accurately understand their mental health and work toward wellness. In the modern western world, we can often just look at the ways negative events and stressors in our lives create our mental health struggles. And many people can prematurely jump to medications for help in managing their symptoms. However, it is important to also consider the ways in which our mental health struggles can be influenced by a wide array of factors, such as medical conditions we may have, medications we take, our diet and nutrition, sleep hygiene, substance use, and lifestyle choices.
As a feminist and multicultural psychologist, I also assess the ways in which your various identities and cultural influences impact your experiences in the world and distress. I receive ongoing trainings around multicultural sensitivity and am sensitive to the ways in which minority stress, marginalization, and oppression impact wellness.
Thus, when you begin services with me, I will conduct a holistic assessment with you to understand you as a whole person. Together, we take into account not just your current symptoms and history but also the ways in which nutrition, substance use practices, medical concerns, medications, lifestyle choices, and cultural identities may interact with or help inform your distress.
- Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Illinois, 071.008958
- Registered PsyPact Therapy Provider
- Doctoral Degree (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, 2011
- Master’s Degree (M.A.) in Clinical Psychology, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, 2008
- Bachelor’s Degree (B.A. High Honors) in Psychology, University of Michigan, 2006
- Registered 200-hour Yoga Teacher, Yoga Alliance (RYT-200)
- 200-hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training
- Yoga Nidra Certification
- Trauma Informed Yoga Certification
- Mental Health Yoga Certification
- Core Skills Advanced Training Program, Chicago Center for Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (2016-2017)
- Externship, Chicago Center for Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (2016)
- Peer Development for Emotional Intelligence (PdEI program), Liautaud Graduate School of Business, University of Illinois at Chicago (2006-2008)
- Yoga Alliance
- Yoga International
- American Psychological Association
- APA Division 17, Society of Counseling Psychology
- APA Division 44, Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues
- APA Division 46: Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity, and Race
- APA Division 51: Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinity