When it comes to finding a therapist, you want to make sure it’s the right fit, even before stepping through the door (or joining the virtual session).
I get it!
With that in mind, let me help you get a sense of who I am.
Fun Stuff: I love a great book (bonus points if I can read it while sitting in front of a cozy fire with a cup of coffee), live music, the fall (although I’m not a fan of pumpkin spice anything), the beach, Friday Night Lights (“clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose”) and Taylor Swift.
Education: I received my Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and a minor in Gender Studies from Ramapo College of New Jersey, and my Master of Social Work (MSW) from New York University. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 20 years of experience working with children, adolescents, young adults, adults, and families. I entered the field of social work because I was curious about people, family systems, and the communities we live in. Twenty years later, I approach my therapeutic work with the same level of passion and curiosity.
Professional Background: My professional background includes community mental health, school-based youth service programs, and high school social work, as well as Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient Programs (PHP and IOP). Most recently, I was the Associate Director of an Adolescent OCD and Complex Anxiety Program in a local PHP/IOP, where I worked collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team, outpatient providers, and schools, to provide support to adolescents and their families.
Training & Areas of Expertise: I have advanced training and specialize in Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD and anxiety disorders, Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) Treatment for children and adolescents with anxiety, OCD, and related problems, and Habit Reversal Training (HRT) for Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs).
I have extensive experience with and utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I believe in the importance of using evidence-based therapeutic approaches in my work.
“This is how you get unstuck.
You reach.”
~ Cheryl Strayed
Values
Dr. Russ Harris, teacher of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), defines values as “what you want your life to be about, deep in your heart. What you want to stand for. What you want to do with your time on this planet. What ultimately matters to you in the big picture.”
So yeah, no big deal figuring that out, right?
The good news is that just like us, our values can change over time. The even better news is that moving in the direction of our values can be an important step in living a life that feels more meaningful to us. I will work with you to identify your core values in sessions, and use these values as a guide for our ongoing work together.
My personal and professional values include:
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We can expect some discomfort when we make the choice to grow and change. And for most of us, discomfort shakes us up, makes us doubt or question our decisions, and scares us. I believe that we are capable of changes, both big and small, when we work together to accept the discomfort.
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It takes courage to show up (in all the ways that matter). It takes courage to grow. It takes courage to connect. It takes courage to sit in uncertainty and be patient with ourselves and others. It takes courage to ask for help, and to move through the process of learning more about ourselves and those we love.
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I love connecting with people! Professionally, I feel excited and honored when I get to meet with my clients each week and be present with them. Personally, I love connecting with my family and friends, my community, and a character in a great book.
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Honestly, patience doesn’t always come easy to me. I, too, want the quick fix or the right answer. What I have found through years of working with people of all ages is that change and growth take time, and we have to sit in the waiting room of our own life sometimes. Let me sit with you.
