I have always been fascinated by how we, as humans, make sense of the world, be it through artistic expression, research, debate, or therapy. As an undergraduate, I studied both psychology and English to explore the interconnections between literature and psychological constructs like emotion, thought, and human connection. A few years later, I decided to focus on psychology, leaving writing as a hobby, earning my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The George Washington University. As a therapist, I get the opportunity to help my clients hear themselves differently, rewrite their histories, share stories they have never had the opportunity to tell, and gain an understanding of themselves that empowers change.
Too often our difficulties are a “Catch-22”—familiar circumstances evoke our typical ways of responding, leading us to behaviors that keep us in unsatisfactory relationships and circumstances. As your therapist, I aim to help you understand your current problems in the context of your unique life experiences, encouraging you to develop insight into how these issues developed and what is keeping you feeling stuck. I favor working from a relational, psychodynamic perspective, which means I try and help you break out of distressing patterns by facilitating conversations about your early life experiences; thoughts and feelings (and what you may be preventing yourself from feeling); self-image; and interpersonal relationships (past and present). I aim to create a safe environment where we can work collaboratively so you can use what you are learning about yourself to live a life of authenticity and personal fulfillment. Although my primary therapeutic orientation is psychodynamic, I integrate techniques from other clinical perspectives–including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), humanistic theory, and interpersonal therapy–especially when I believe these tools will complement our exploratory work.
I specialize in working with relationship and couple/marital issues and utilize individual, couples, and group psychotherapy (often in combination) when addressing these concerns. I am adept at working with adult and late adolescent clients presenting with a wide array of therapeutic concerns including mood and anxiety symptoms/disorders; relationship difficulties; sexual issues; low self-esteem; identity questions; substance use problems; work and legal issues; and LGBTQIA+ concerns.
In addition to my work at Dodini Behavioral Health, I hold an adjunct clinical faculty position at the George Washington University Professional Psychology Program, where I supervise doctoral students learning to conduct individual/group psychotherapy and psychological assessment. As a clinical supervisor, I’ve also supervised a co-therapy team running a therapeutic process group for gay men in the DC area.
EDUCATION
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD),Clinical Psychology, The George Washington University
Bachelor of Science (BS),Psychology and English (Creative Writing), Tulane University
ADVANCED TRAINING
Intensive Training in Couples Therapy, Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis (2015-2017)
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, The George Washington University (2013-2015)
Scholars Program, Section VIII: Psychoanalysis with Couples and Family Therapy (2014-2015)
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Newsletter Editor,Mid-Atlantic Group Psychotherapy Society (2016-2019)
Member-at-Large & Newsletter Editor,APA Division 39, Section VIII: Couple and Family Therapy in Psychoanalysis (2019-2021)
SELECT PAPERS/PRESENTATIONS
Can we even call it ‘couples therapy?’: The challenges of providing psychodynamic relationship therapy to the polyamorous. Paper presented at the Division of Psychoanalysis (39) 37th Annual Spring Meeting, April 2017. New York, NY.
Surviving domestic violence: The benefits of psychological treatment. Paper presented at the Celebration of Life Gala for the Geraldine A. Ross Domestic Violence Prevention Scholarship and Support Foundation, December 2014. Fredericksburg, VA.
