What was your path to becoming a therapist? What inspired you to choose this profession?
I had always been drawn to the healing potential of the creative arts. Even at a very young age, it allowed me to intuitively reflect on painful and challenging experiences and make sense of them in healing ways. My journey to becoming a therapist actually began while working in a non-clinical position at a high school for troubled LGBTQ+ youth- what I noticed was the profound effect that a highly empathic photography teacher had on his students, many of whom were likely to drop out if not for their creative experiences with him that allowed for some important self-discovery and healing. This, along with my passion for supporting others and the positive experience I had working with a therapist of my own, led me to graduate training for creative arts psychotherapy 17 years ago. I feel incredibly grateful to have found my calling, and honored each day to be with others in their pain and joy, a trusted witness to their stories and healing journeys.
What do you view as a key component of the therapeutic relationship?
The key components in the therapeutic relationship are trust, collaboration, and for the client to feel that they can be themselves and express themselves without judgement, even on their most challenging days. In other words, the therapeutic relationship should be one where the clients always feels that their therapist "has their back".
If there was one thing you wish people knew about the therapy experience who might be hesitant to try it, what would that be?
I've come across many people who have prolonged their suffering and distress due to their fear of being stigmatized about being in therapy, or because they have had a bad experience with therapy in the past. I wish that people knew that going to therapy is not a sign of weakness but rather an act of courage and self love, and that therapy can be just as helpful for high functioning people as it can be for those with a serious mental illness. I would also stress that therapy with the right therapist can feel like a great relief, which is why I encourage people to pay attention to how they feel during and after their first session/s with myself or another therapist, and also convey that they have the freedom to try more than one therapist in order to find the right fit.
Specialties
Depression
Depression often causes people to feel sad, empty, or hopeless, and can cause a lack of interest in life. It can also affect a person's thinking patterns and physical health.
Loss/Grief
Grief is a reaction to an emotionally significant loss and often comes with symptoms of depression or anxiety. These symptoms can remain intense and last for a long time after a loss, making it difficult to move forward with a healthy lifestyle.
Attachment issues
Children that experience parents and/or guardians that are avoidant, ambivalent, or resistant from an early age, may develop attachment issues. This can manifest as difficulty forming or maintaining friendships, romantic relationships and empathetic bonds throughout life, as well as other issues.
Stress
Distress stems from a subjective perception of something being unwanted, undesirable, or detrimental to your wellbeing. Excessive stress significantly impairs mental and physical health and is associated with many diseases and conditions.
Trauma
Trauma is the result of experiencing a perceived, extremely distressful event. Although the stress threshold for each person differs, meaning that each person considers and experiences trauma differently, it is an event that tops one’s threshold. It exceeds one’s ability to cope or emotionally process. Symptoms may include shock, anxiety, confusion, hopelessness, feeling disconnected, mood swings, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts.
General Expertise
Anxiety
Anxiety can mean nervousness, worry, or self-doubt. Anxiety disorder is a mental health disorder that entails excessive, repeated bouts of worry, anxiety, and/or fear.
Relationship Issues
Refers relationship issues with a partner or spouse. Can include issues related to relationship distress, relationship satisfaction, communication, intimacy, etc.
Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is the degree to which a person feels confident, valuable, and worthy of respect. Feeling low self-esteem can influence overall well-being and be linked to anxiety and/or depression.
Sexuality Based Issues
Sexuality refers to habits and preferences in terms of sexual behavior, which people express in many ways. Issues in this area may be related to confusion or distress about sexuality or sexual identity.
Social Anxiety
Social anxiety or social phobia is fear of social situations or a fear of interacting with people other than close friends and family. Social anxiety can be persistent, intense, and debilitating, greatly affecting daily life.
Fees
$120
First Session
$120
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Individual Session
Clientele
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Seniors (65+)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Attachment-Based Therapy
Expressive Arts Therapy
Multicultural Therapy
Person-Centered Therapy
Positive Psychology
Psychodynamic Therapy
Relational Therapy
Training / Certifications
ATR-BC, CDP
Licensure
NY, LCAT, 001983-1
Education
Pratt Institute, MPS Art Therapy/Psychotherapy
Work History
I am a psychotherapist and creative arts therapist who has a great deal of experience with trauma, attachment and relationships, depression and anxiety, aging, and more. I had spent much of my career working for not-for-profits including mental health clinics and other community agencies, and started my private practice in 2018. I feel honored to have the opportunity to connect with my clients and be witness to their challenges, but also to their tremendous capacity to heal and reach the goals that they created for themselves.
Location
,, Brooklyn, 11215, NY