Services
Psychotherapy
In the context of a comfortable and trusting therapeutic relationship and a willingness to increase self awareness, I believe that psychotherapy has the potential to heal, effect change and lead to a more fulfilling life. Therapy is a collaborative process where patterns are uncovered and consciousness is broadened so that a space for change is created. My sessions are psychodynamically oriented and may integrate areas such as identifying values, communicating effectively and cultivating the qualties of mindfulness. Areas of expertise include depression and anxiety, trauma, stress and substance misuse.
Yoga Therapy and Instruction
In yoga therapy, techniques are used to help manage mood, balance the nervous system and increase self awareness. Yoga is inherently therapeutic, but when skillfully applied to an individual's struggles, it can be profoundly healing, connecting and impactful.
I also teach Hatha yoga to beginners and experienced practitioners, blending alignment, flow and kind attention.
EMDR and Trauma-Focused Therapy
About Me
I am a highly trained and experienced licensed clinical psychologist with a psychodynamic foundation and training in the skills-based, behavioral approaches Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI). I completed an EMDRIA-approved 3-part basic training in EMDR with Laurel Parenell, PhD in 2019 and am an EMDRIA Certified EMDR therapist and Consultant-in-Training.
After moving to New York City to study dance and education at NYU, I was exposed to yoga and dance/movement therapy, both of which opened up a world of exploration for me around the body mind connection. After receiving a Master's degree at Pratt Institute, I worked for 8 years as a creative arts therapist, using movement, yoga and mindfulness in addiction and psychiatric settings. I then pursued my doctorate in clinical psychology at Long Island University (LIU), Brooklyn.
I have taught yoga for over 20 years. I trained at Integral Yoga Institute, with Sarah Powers, Bo Forbes and Mia Borgatta. I studied LifeForce Yoga with Amy Weintruab, author of Yoga for Depression. I have expertise in using yoga to address mood and trauma symptoms. The benefits of my own yoga and meditation practice show up on a daily basis!
I am a staff psychologist at The Center for Motivation and Change (CMC), a group clinic that helps individual make changes around substance use and other compulsive behaviors. I have worked at Bellevue Hospital Center and Payne Whitney, Weil Cornell- NY Presbyterian Hospital. My training has included time at Beth Israel Hospital, Gouverneur Hospital and The Institute for Psychoanalytic Training and Research (IPTAR).
I completed my clinical internship at Kings County Hospital.
I have taught at Pratt Institute, The New School and The College of New Rochelle. I am a Special Adjunct Clinical Supervisor at LIU, Brooklyn.
My research interests have focused around yoga and the ways in which self-compassion, body awareness and mindfulness may lead to more wellbeing and an increased capacity for self-regulation. I have co-authored and published several papers on the effects of yoga with NYC public school kids and utilizing yoga therapy techniques to treat trauma and substance use.