LCSW, 21 years of experience
Welcome, and congratulations on taking this courageous step toward improving your life. I know it’s no small feat to reach out for support. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s Degree from NYU (2003), and I’ve worked in a variety of healthcare settings with individuals, couples, and groups across the lifespan. I specialize in helping adults navigate common challenges such as stress, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, feeling overwhelmed, and coping with loss. I also have many years of experience working with older adults facing issues related to aging, retirement, finding renewed purpose, grief, and chronic health conditions.
Our first session is a chance for us to get to know each other and for you to share what’s bringing you to therapy. Together, we’ll discuss the structure of our work, establish goals based on your individual needs, and determine the frequency of our sessions. This initial meeting is not only an opportunity for you to open up about your story, but also to get a sense of my therapeutic style and how I approach the work. It’s the first step in building a collaborative, supportive relationship tailored to your growth and healing.
Research shows that one of the strongest predictors of success in therapy is the quality of the relationship between client and therapist. That’s why I prioritize creating a safe, judgment-free space where you feel comfortable being yourself. It’s deeply important to me that my clients feel respected, understood, and supported throughout their therapeutic journey. I strive to ensure that everyone who walks through my door feels genuinely welcomed and accepted just as they are. The issues you bring to therapy are personal and meaningful, and trust is the foundation of the work we’ll do together. I encourage open communication, regular check-ins on your progress, and welcome feedback about how I can best support you. This is your time—and I am committed to fostering a relationship that feels authentic, collaborative, and empowering.
I enjoy working with adults of all ages. Whether you’re new to therapy or returning to refresh your skills, you are welcome here. In a compassionate, supportive, and judgment-free space, I help clients move toward greater self-understanding and replace self-criticism with self-compassion. Many people come to therapy feeling overwhelmed and burdened by unresolved issues that weigh on them daily. By approaching your struggles with curiosity rather than judgment, we can begin to release what no longer serves you and create space for a more fulfilling, empowered life—one where you feel more in control and experience a deeper sense of satisfaction. My goal is to help you move from simply surviving to truly thriving.
Polyvagal Theory helps us understand how our nervous system responds to stress and safety. It explains why we might shut down, become anxious, or feel stuck in survival mode—even when there’s no obvious danger. In therapy, I use this framework to help you recognize your body’s cues and develop tools to regulate your nervous system. We might explore how your body reacts in certain situations, identify your triggers, and practice techniques like grounding, breathwork, and movement to shift into a calmer, more connected state. This approach is especially helpful for those who feel stuck or struggle with self-criticism, as it offers the powerful insight that these responses are not personal failings, but your body doing its best to protect you. Understanding your physiological responses can reduce shame, increase self-compassion, and give you more control over how you respond to stress. It’s particularly effective for trauma, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm.
Loss is a universal experience that we all encounter, not only through death, but also through significant life transitions such as moving, graduating, divorce, job loss or retirement, and the loss of what once was. These events often activate feelings tied to earlier losses. In our work together, we can explore how your losses were experienced, the early messages you received about grief, and where you may be within the grieving process. I find this work to be deeply meaningful, and approaching it with fresh insight can often help ease the sense of feeling stuck.
We live in a fast-paced, overstimulating world, and when this is compounded by daily responsibilities and unresolved emotional struggles, it can be difficult to focus fully on any one thing. As a result, our attention is often divided, which can worsen symptoms of anxiety, PTSD, and depression. In actuality, it’s often our thinking, more than the circumstances themselves, that causes the greatest distress. Mindfulness-based therapy helps reduce that distress by increasing awareness of the present moment and gently redirecting the mind away from ruminating on the past or anticipating future fears. This approach incorporates relaxation and guided breathing techniques to help you respond to triggers with greater calm and control. Many people find that mindfulness reduces emotional reactivity, enhances clarity, and alleviates uncomfortable feelings. It has also been shown to disrupt negative thought patterns, improve focus and self-regulation, support physical health, and enhance overall quality of life.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been highly effective for my clients dealing with depression and anxiety. This approach can help improve your mood and increase resilience by identifying and reshaping the thought patterns that influence how you feel and respond. Since our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are deeply interconnected, changing the way we think can reduce distress and foster a greater sense of hope and control. I often incorporate homework assignments, handouts, and visuals to support understanding and promote meaningful, lasting change.