LICSW, 7 years of experience
I am originally from Los Angeles and moved to Amherst Massachusetts to study photojournalism at Hampshire College. While I appreciated that pictures tell their own stories, I felt pulled to linger within the ongoing experiences of the folks I captured on film. Obtaining my graduate degree in psychodynamic therapy from Smith College confirmed the importance and complexities of witnessing people beyond just a moment in time.
I serve folks who have frequently been harmed in therapeutic spaces. I am transparent about power dynamics in the therapeutic space, boundaries and expectations. I do not have a formal one size fits all intake but like to meet the client with where they are and build a connection before exploring more in depth about some of the more prominent stressors in their lives. I am transparent and engaged in communication with the client.
My theoretical orientation and therapeutic interventions (trauma and social justice modalities) are heavily influenced by my identity as a queer Black femme. My private practice will always center on the decolonization of therapy practices that have been historically used to stigmatize, dehumanize, gaslight and harm the folks I serve.
I now specialize in complex post traumatic stress disorder and its effects on the identities we occupy. I work predominantly with BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, and folks from underrepresented and underserved communities. My theoretical orientation and therapeutic interventions (trauma and social justice modalities) are heavily influenced by my identity as a queer Black femme. My private practice will always center on the decolonization of therapy practices that have been historically used to stigmatize, dehumanize, gaslight and harm the folks I serve.
Psychodynamic therapy assumes that unconscious forces, such as repressed emotions, hidden memories, and unresolved conflicts from childhood, influence current thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I support folks with becoming aware of these unconscious patterns and how they contribute to their difficulties.
Somatic therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on the connection between the mind and body. It is based on the idea that past experiences, especially traumatic ones, can be stored in the body as physical tension, pain, or other symptoms. By bringing awareness to these physical sensations, somatic therapy helps individuals release stored trauma and promote healing.
I use a combination of cognitive and behavioral techniques to help clients identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to their psychological distress. The focus is on teaching folks practical skills and strategies that they can use to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Trauma-informed care represents a shift from asking "What's wrong with you?" to "What happened to you?" It fosters a deeper understanding of how trauma can affect individuals' physical, emotional, and behavioral health.