Learn about me

How I Became A Therapist

Before I became a therapist, I studied music composition and poetry; I planned to be a full-time songwriter. I found beauty in the creative ways we express ourselves, synthesize our stories, and make meaning in our lives. After years of learning about sounds, syntax, and synonyms, I found myself yearning for work which felt more connected to others on a person-to-person level.

My shift from the expressive arts to healing work began when I joined my college campus’ anonymous peer listening service. I spent late nights offering a listening ear to fellow classmates as they coped with isolation, academic pressures, family issues, and trauma. I found that same sense of aliveness I felt when performing music when I supported my peers. In those moments, it began to click for me. I realized: this is what I want to do.

After finishing my undergraduate studies at Columbia University, I stayed to complete my master’s in Social Work. I worked as a Community Engagement Specialist with NYC Health + Hospitals during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, visiting door-to-door with people affected by the virus to connect them with food, medical care, and other essentials so they could stay safe and healthy. I completed my social work internship at Mount Sinai’s Institute for Advanced Medicine, providing individual therapy and social work services to people living with and impacted by HIV/AIDS. I continued this work at Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center, where for years I’ve provided individual and group therapy to adolescents and young adults living with HIV/AIDS, as well as queer, trans, Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color, and folks experiencing homelessness.

I am formally trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Motivational Interviewing. I am a firm believer in the Health At Every Size (HAES®) Movement. With over four years of experience supporting people navigating systemic oppression, stigma, trauma, eating disorders and disordered eating, identity concerns, and more, I recognize that you are more than the challenges you face or the labels placed upon you.

I consider myself to have the best of both worlds. While I still make music, I have the honor and the privilege to bear witness and advocate for others as they reconnect with their strengths, challenge what no longer serves them, and cultivate a relationship with themesleves that feels more compassionate, authentic, and free.