I am a general practitioner whose personal style is warm and interactive. I most often utilize a psychodynamic and insight-oriented approach informed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral (CBT) principles, although it is my belief that the therapeutic relationship itself is far more important than which particular theoretical model is being employed. I believe in everyone's inherent ability to change and grow, and psychotherapy provides a unique opportunity for one to more fully realize that potential.

Therapy and coaching are always a highly collaborative process where we are working together toward your goals as part of a mutually agreed upon plan. I work with individuals to address a wide variety of mental health, life, and professional challenges. I have experience treating clients with depression, anxiety, bipolar II, ADD/ADHD, concerns around aging, life transitions, and spirituality or relationship issues. I have a special interest in working with women experiencing perinatal and postpartum depression, anxiety, or loss. I also provide LGBTQ sensitive and affirmative care. I enjoy active coaching for adults with ADD/ADHD.

While psychotherapy is often quite challenging, it can be highly beneficial for most people. My clients report consistently positive outcomes from their experience in treatment such as possessing a greater sense of wellness and well-being, improved mood, increased self-worth, enhanced communication skills in important relationships, less stress, greater coping, and deepened personal insight or meaning in their lives.

I was granted my Masters in Social Work from the Smith College School for Social Work, in Northampton, MA, where I received rigorous clinical training in Psychodynamic, Postmodern, and Group theories from an anti-racist perspective. While at Smith College, I sustained qualitative research on clinical service delivery to the elderly. I continue to be grateful for the wonderful clinical training and education I received there.

I completed my first clinical internship at the Culver City Youth Health Center, a satellite clinic of the UCLA Medical Center, in Culver City, CA where I worked with diverse adolescents attending public school in LA. I trained at Kaiser Permanente during my second clinical internship, working within their Los Angeles Medical Center in the Outpatient Behavioral Health Department in Hollywood, CA. There I provided treatment for adult individuals, the elderly, and couples.

Long before my education in Social Work and psychotherapy, I received my BA from Skidmore College, in Saratoga Springs, NY, where I studied English Literature, Creative Writing, Theatre, and Photography.

After relocating to Chicago after graduate school, I joined the clinical staff at Chicago Lakeshore Hospital, a private psychiatric hospital on the north side of Chicago. As part of a multidisciplinary team, I specialized in providing treatment to those individuals with severe and persistent mental illness including dual diagnoses and psychotic disorders. There I further developed my skills in providing individual, family, and group psychotherapy, leading psycho-educational and Cognitive Behavioral groups, and performing supportive and collateral work for clients in need of greater coordination of care. I also gained valuable knowledge about the critical role that stress reduction, assertiveness skills, medication management, or participation in 12 step programs may play in the best outcomes in psychotherapy.

I opened my private practice in 2007, and genuinely love my work. I maintain a full time practice made up of unique individuals with diverse mental health concerns. In addition to collaborating with my psychotherapy clients, I have also run an ongoing weekly psychotherapy process group, and facilitated a practice development workshop for other clinician's transitioning into the private practice realm. Additionally, I enjoy making time to further explore my clinical interests and stay current with best practices through reading, consultation, and classes. Recently, I completed additional training at the University of Chicago SSA's Professional Development Program which included Level 1 training in Gottman Couples Therapy as well as the year long fellowship in Contextual Behavior Therapy.