What should I expect in our first session?
The first session is a time for me to capture a snapshot of who you are and what you are bringing into the room with you. You will also learn more about me as a provider, and we will identify what we want to work on together. My hope is that my clients leave their first session feeling seen and heard, and like they have a trusted partner beside them as they take on their ups and downs. While my approach is strengths-based, I also find value in hearing about the challenges and experiences that have shaped you into who you are today.
How do you describe your therapeutic approach?
I take an integrative, client-centered approach that bridges mental health and performance psychology. I use evidence-based modalities—including Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy—to support clients in managing mental health challenges and high-pressure environments. I focus on helping individuals develop self-awareness, resilience, and effective coping skills. Whether working with athletes, performers, or young professionals, I prioritize a holistic approach that considers both mental well-being and personal performance.
How long have you been practicing? What has your counseling experience been like?
I have been working in the mental health and performance psychology space for several years, with a background that spans clinical therapy, mental performance consulting, and collegiate coaching. My clinical experience includes working at the Center for Motivation and Change (CMC) in New York City, where I specialized in substance use treatment and co-occurring disorders. In addition, I have worked with elite athletes, performers, and professionals, supporting them in building mental resilience, overcoming anxiety, and enhancing performance.
What do you specialize in?
Much of my work has centered on teaching high-level athletes and performers evidence-based mental techniques to reach their highest potential both on and off the field. This includes working with athletes recovering from injuries or overcoming performance anxiety, and training coaches at the collegiate to professional levels in Motivational Interviewing. In addition to the sport and performance space, I received a subset of my clinical training at the Center for Motivation and Change in outpatient substance use and addictions, a population I still work with today.
Understanding the intersection of a clinical need with an individual’s identity in sport allows me to take an integrated approach to behavior change. My various experiences have taught me to see each individual as a human first before jumping into their other identities as an athlete, student, artist, etc.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
Working with young people and early-career adults allows me the privilege of helping individuals navigate one of the most pivotal times in their lives. This age is full of growth, self-discovery, and change, and I get to be part of their journey as they build confidence, overcome challenges, and create a path toward their future. Witnessing their transformation from uncertainty to empowerment is incredibly fulfilling and reminds me why I chose this profession.
What inspired you to get into counseling?
I’ve had numerous jobs since graduating college and never really knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. In a big way, I think it is the not knowing that brought me to counseling. As a former college softball coach, I recognized that I could teach the physical skills needed to be successful, but there was a gap in my knowledge when it came to the mental side of the game. Ultimately, I wanted to be the resource that I wish I’d had when I was a college athlete struggling with team dynamics, perfectionism, coping with failure, and transitioning out of sport. Counseling has taught me to always remain curious, even when things can be incredibly challenging. It has allowed me to bring my full self to something and encourage young people that it is safe for them to do the same.
What’s something your clients might be surprised to learn about you?
I’m a second-degree black belt in Isshinryu Karate.
What is a self-care ritual you practice?
I prioritize movement as a key part of my self-care routine—whether it’s a pick-up hockey game with friends, strength training, or simply getting outside for a walk with my dog at Fort Greene or Prospect Parks. I also practice mindfulness and make time for activities that help me recharge, like reading and listening to music.