About Me

Ever had a door open after you’d lost all hope?

I’ll share a story.

It’s about the first person who cared to get to know me — my emotions and all: My first good therapist, Jon.

My sophomore year of college was a montage of 2-hour depression naps in the middle of the day and eating meals alone in the dining hall.

One day, while I was picking up a textbook at a classmate’s room, I overheard her share with a friend,

“Ugh. My therapist is sick today!”

It was as if a lightning bolt shot through my head and down into my toes.

“Therapy?” I thought. “People actually do that?”

I felt moved. As I walked back to my dorm room, I knew something in me had awakened.

Maybe this was what I had been looking for.

I placed a phone call to the counseling center and a week later, I met Jon.

My first impression of him was of a young, happy-looking man in his late 20s.

As I settled down onto the couch I noticed John had an easy way to him. He smiled warmly and introduced himself, seemingly without self-consciousness.

During that first session I frequently looked into his eyes to see if he was paying attention. When he noticed he would smile and nod, asking me to “say more.”

It was an experience unlike any I had before. A person who actually wanted to know what was happening inside of me.

Growing up, my parents didn’t know how to connect with me emotionally. They loved me deeply, but instead of empathizing, they gave advice, or intellectualized.

With Jon, he was there with me. It felt good.

Over the months, as I opened up to him, he helped me recognize my strengths (curiosity about others), as well as what I struggled with (emotional regulation).

During this sharing, Jon would help me tease apart my feelings from my beliefs.

I began to see the world more clearly. My social interactions became less strained and fretful.

In fact, I started going to sleep earlier and waking up on time.

My motivation to study and work out increased.

And to my surprise, I even introduced myself to the beautiful girl who lived next door.

7 months passed this way, until eventually, balmy weather signaled the end of the school year.

By then I had transformed. Once a nervous and self-deprecating person, I now knew how to share my life with others.

Sometimes, when we’ve lost all faith, a door opens.

If you’re here, a door has opened for you too.

Some of my education and experience…

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW) and a former Pearsall Fellow and Judy Byck Scholar through the PCC.

I’m Level 2 trained in Internal Family Systems, a powerful modality that has helped so many of my clients discover self-love.

I’ve sat and have served at several 10-day silent meditation retreats.

When I’m not working…

I like to climb plastic rocks and eat gluten-free food with my partner and friends.