My Approach to Counseling
I strive to create a safe and trusting working relationship with my clients, so that I can meet them where they are at and provide a supportive space for exploring their concerns. I attempt to understand my clients on multiple levels, including culture, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, spirituality, age and ability. I appreciate that these various aspects of clients' lives influence their values and impact their experiences as they move through the world.
Although I tend to conceptualize client concerns from a humanistic and cognitive behavioral lens, my approach to counseling is most accurately described as integrative because I draw from different schools of thought depending on my client's needs and values.
I view counseling as a collaboration between myself and my clients - together we will identify goals for our work together and examine pathways for reaching these goals.
My Experience and Expertise
Specialty Areas of Focus:
I am a licensed psychologist in Florida (PY8626). I completed my graduate studies at the University of Miami, earning a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling in 2003 and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology in 2010. I have worked as a therapist in a variety of settings throughout my career including community mental health, residential substance abuse treatment, and the public school system. I have worked primarily in university counseling centers for the past 15 years. I have served as a clinician and administrator at Florida Atlantic University's Counseling and Psychological Services. This work has given me a special appreciation for the challenges that college students face. I very much enjoy working with undergraduate and graduate students around a variety of mental health concerns and issues including academic confidence and success.
I also have a special interest and passion for serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community. My academic research has primarily focused on LGBTQ identity development. I am also a certified transgender care therapist and have been a member of the World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH). Throughout my career I have worked with many adolescent and adult clients who had concerns about questioning their identities, coming out, being out in different contexts, as well as navigating/improving relationships with family, friends, and partners. I have administered or provided training to LGBTQ peer mentoring programs at several large universities including University of California Irvine, California State University Northridge, and Florida Atlantic University. I have also served as a volunteer therapist, clinical supervisor, and member/officer of the Board of Directors at SunServe, a LGBTQ social service agency in Broward County.
Please feel free to contact me for more information or to schedule an appointment for an initial consultation.
I strive to create a safe and trusting working relationship with my clients, so that I can meet them where they are at and provide a supportive space for exploring their concerns. I attempt to understand my clients on multiple levels, including culture, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, spirituality, age and ability. I appreciate that these various aspects of clients' lives influence their values and impact their experiences as they move through the world.
Although I tend to conceptualize client concerns from a humanistic and cognitive behavioral lens, my approach to counseling is most accurately described as integrative because I draw from different schools of thought depending on my client's needs and values.
I view counseling as a collaboration between myself and my clients - together we will identify goals for our work together and examine pathways for reaching these goals.
My Experience and Expertise
Specialty Areas of Focus:
- stress management
- coping with anxiety and panic
- depression
- life transitions
- identity development
- LGBTQ mental health
- grief and loss
- relationship concerns
- sexual health and wellness
- physical disability
- academic success and confidence
I am a licensed psychologist in Florida (PY8626). I completed my graduate studies at the University of Miami, earning a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling in 2003 and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology in 2010. I have worked as a therapist in a variety of settings throughout my career including community mental health, residential substance abuse treatment, and the public school system. I have worked primarily in university counseling centers for the past 15 years. I have served as a clinician and administrator at Florida Atlantic University's Counseling and Psychological Services. This work has given me a special appreciation for the challenges that college students face. I very much enjoy working with undergraduate and graduate students around a variety of mental health concerns and issues including academic confidence and success.
I also have a special interest and passion for serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community. My academic research has primarily focused on LGBTQ identity development. I am also a certified transgender care therapist and have been a member of the World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH). Throughout my career I have worked with many adolescent and adult clients who had concerns about questioning their identities, coming out, being out in different contexts, as well as navigating/improving relationships with family, friends, and partners. I have administered or provided training to LGBTQ peer mentoring programs at several large universities including University of California Irvine, California State University Northridge, and Florida Atlantic University. I have also served as a volunteer therapist, clinical supervisor, and member/officer of the Board of Directors at SunServe, a LGBTQ social service agency in Broward County.
Please feel free to contact me for more information or to schedule an appointment for an initial consultation.
