How do you describe your therapeutic approach?
Combining my psychotherapy and nutrition training, I deploy a holistic approach to therapy that emphasizes the mind-body connection. This allows me to offer my clients integrated support, addressing both their emotional and physical well-being.
How long have you been practicing? What has your counseling experience been like?
I have over 25 years of experience as a nutritionist in both academic and private practice settings. More recently I earned my MSW, enabling me to broaden the scope of my treatment approaches. By integrating psychotherapy with nutrition expertise, I offer a holistic mind-body approach to addressing my clients’ concerns and symptoms.
What do you specialize in?
I specialize in disorders of the gut-brain interaction (DGBI), helping clients manage complex illnesses with gut-directed hypnotherapy, mindfulness, CBT, and nutrition modification. I am also interested in women’s health, life transitions, anxiety, and depression.
What inspired you to get into counseling?
In 25 years as a nutritionist, I’ve observed how frequently nutrition reflects deeper, more complex issues. I sought advanced training in social work to help clients identify these root causes and overcome the obstacles preventing them from reaching optimal well-being.
What’s something your clients might be surprised to learn about you?
As a native New Yorker, I tried living in Arizona for three years. But as they say, you can take the girl out of New York, but you can’t take New York out of the girl. Fortunately, we moved back ten years ago, and Arizona has become a nice place to visit.
What is a self-care ritual you practice?
As a busy mom, wife, and therapist, self-care used to be an area I struggled with. But I’ve learned I can’t be my best self if I don’t practice what I preach. For me, self-care involves physical activity—whether it’s a brisk walk outside with my dog, running on the treadmill, or working with a Pilates instructor, I have more energy and think more clearly throughout the day.