MY PHILOSOPHY

Being a therapist is more than a job, it is my passion. It reflects a core part of me which enjoys getting to know people on a more personal, deeper level. As a therapist, I will guide you through personal challenges, help ease emotional burdens, and help you feel empowered to achieve a healthier mindset. Building a trusting, compassionate, collaborative relationship is the beginning of the recovery process and to transforming your life. Our therapy together will be goal oriented and will focus on helping you to explore and learn more about yourself in order to provide you with the support and coping strategies you need during challenging times.

MY BACKGROUND

A Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Drexel University and received my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Fairfield University. Completing my clinical internships in outpatient community settings and working with diverse populations helped me to learn skills in crisis management and trauma treatment. My journey continued on as I provided psychotherapy in a group practice setting treating adults and adolescents struggling with a broad range of mental health concerns including anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, grief and loss, childhood emotional neglect (CEN), and ADHD, among others. Aside from my private practice, I enjoy my role as a campus supervisor at Fairfield University working with masters level students who are progressing towards their clinical mental health counseling degrees. I regularly seek out professional development trainings to enhance my clinical abilities and knowledge within the mental health field. I attended Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) training for anxiety at the Beck Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and received additional training in a variety of theoretical orientations to be able to adapt Psychodynamic, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Strength-based, Positive Psychology, and Mindfulness/Meditation tools and strategies to my clients’ treatment. I have also obtained continuing education training in several areas including Grief and Loss, Self-Regulation, Working with Emotional Triggers, Childhood Emotional Neglect, Somatic Experiencing for Trauma, and others.

In my personal life, my marriage to my husband and the raising of our young adult daughters together has taught me many valuable lessons and has provided me with unique life experiences which have contributed to my growth as a mother, wife, and mental health professional.

OUR WORK TOGETHER

Our work together is individually tailored to address your needs as I do not believe in a “one size fits all” approach to addressing one’s mental health. Together, we will embark on a journey where my ability to rapidly develop a rapport, strong credentials, interest in holistic prevention and intervention, and lifelong passion for both physical and mental health and wellness provides me with a unique skill set to effectively help you work through and heal from the life circumstances you are facing. I view therapy as a collaborative process, and thus, our work together will consist of me learning more about you, what you consider your strengths, your areas of growth, your current coping strategies, and most importantly the goals you have set forth for yourself.

AFFILIATIONS

Being affiliated with these organizations allows me to stay up to date on research in our field:

• American Counseling Association

• Connecticut Counseling Association

• Chi Sigma Iota International and Professional Counseling Academic Honor Society