“My focus has shifted to working with women and men impacted by fertility issues and perinatal struggles.”
What was your path to becoming a therapist?
In college, I was drawn to the study of human behavior and social work, as it answered so many of my questions about why people behave the way they do. I started my career working with children and families, living in New York and then London. After seeing firsthand how helpful and effective cognitive behavioral therapy could be, I earned a postgraduate certificate in this treatment modality. My focus has shifted to working with women and men impacted by fertility issues and perinatal struggles. My interest and commitment to this area of work are due to my own complicated journey to parenthood, and I have found that my lived experience creates a unique therapeutic bond and a true empathetic approach to the work.
What should someone know about working with you?
I understand that everyone’s experience is unique and therefore I use a variety of therapeutic approaches in treatment. I aim to help people adapt to changing experiences with the ultimate goal of gaining perspective and making meaning of their unique journey. Overall, I am strengths-based and supportive. I value getting to know the people I work with, learning their interests, and humor. I encourage self-compassion and provide practical feedback while honoring individual experiences. Occasionally, I make use of brief questionnaires, which provide numerical values to anxiety and depression symptoms. This can be really helpful in tracking how people are feeling and noting changes that occur over time. I absolutely love working with curious and motivated people. It is a true privilege for me to bear witness to the growth and changes that occur in the lives of the people I work with.
What do you do to continue learning and building competencies as a provider?
I am always looking for educational opportunities that will progress my understanding of the people I work with. Continuing my education is extremely important to me. In fact, I also work as an assistant director for continuing education at a university. In addition to formal learning opportunities, I make use of consultation with colleagues and supervision to support my work. I believe that gaining different points of view and outside perspectives enhances my work and helps me to continually evolve as a therapist.
What are you most excited about within the evolving mental health landscape?
The emergence of telehealth as a regularly used platform for therapy coupled with positive media coverage on mental health has been hugely beneficial to people seeking help. Therapy has become more accessible and acceptable, and people are more consistently receiving the message that it’s okay to not feel okay all the time. This is leading people to create space for themselves to reach out for help. In my own practice, I have found more people starting therapy for the first time and fewer people canceling sessions.
Tell us something about yourself.
When I’m not working, I love to spend time with family and friends, read, travel, and find binge-worthy shows to obsess about.
“My interest and commitment to this area of work are due to my own complicated journey to parenthood, and I have found that my lived experience creates a unique therapeutic bond and a true empathetic approach to the work.”