“My personal experience of having been diagnosed with chronic medical conditions offers a unique perspective for assisting others to cope optimally with their long-term medical conditions.”
What was your path to becoming a therapist?
Working as a clinical health psychologist is my second career; I was previously employed as a chemical dependency counselor. I was drawn to clinical health psychology due to my dual interests in clinical psychology and medicine. My personal experience of having been diagnosed with chronic medical conditions offers a unique perspective for assisting others to cope optimally with their long-term medical conditions. I've previously worked in pain management and used to complete neuropsychological evaluations for geriatric residents. I continue to provide psychotherapy services for nursing home residents.
What should someone know about working with you?
I typically spend one to two sessions completing a thorough intake with a new client and work with clients to establish goals. Progress is evaluated by a decreased severity of emotional distress, such as a reduction in symptoms of anxiety or depression. I frequently assign homework to reinforce concepts discussed during sessions. I especially like working with individuals who are experiencing difficulties adjusting to chronic medical conditions. I have broader interests in working with clients who are experiencing heightened levels of anxiety and depression. I also find it very rewarding to work with clients who are experiencing grief and loss in their lives.
What are you most excited about within the evolving mental health landscape?
I'm most excited about the tremendous growth of teletherapy sessions. During the COVID pandemic, I witnessed striking increases in the severity of anxiety and depression among clients. Online psychotherapy sessions offer a safe alternative to working with a therapist in an outpatient setting. I especially appreciate that clients are able to message their therapists between sessions and receive additional emotional support.
“Progress is evaluated by a decreased severity of emotional distress, such as a reduction in symptoms of anxiety or depression.”