Understanding Trauma and Behavior
Many of the patterns we struggle to change, including substance use, often began as a subconscious, adaptive attempt to cope with the lasting effects of trauma. When your nervous system is sensitized, these urges can feel like automatic survival strategies rather than "bad habits."
My practice is grounded in harm reduction psychotherapy, which means we move away from shame and toward curiosity. We start by acknowledging that these behaviors may have been your most reliable way of seeking safety, and we work to reduce their negative impact at a pace that feels sustainable for you.
Innovative Healing
When traditional talk therapy plateaus, shifting deep-seated patterns requires a new approach. To bridge this gap, I offer Remote Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). This approach uses neurobiological support to safely unblock pathways stalled by anxiety or trauma— creating a window of mental flexibility for lasting change from the comfort of home.
Mindfulness + Inner Awareness
Mindfulness is woven into all facets of this work. We will work to understand how past experiences continue to impact your current distress, using mindfulness-based tools to build awareness of the interconnection between thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. By developing the capacity to slow down and build a "pause" between an urge and an action, you can observe your internal world without judgment. This process helps to widen your "window of tolerance," empowering you to navigate discomfort and establish new, life-affirming ways of responding rooted in self-kindness rather than shame.
About me
I am a licensed psychologist offering telepsychology across over 40 PSYCPACT states in addition to New York. I earned my PhD in Clinical Psychology from Virginia Tech and completed my fellowship training at Princeton House Behavioral Health.
Prior to establishing my private practice, I spent 12 years as the Assistant Director of The Center for Optimal Living in NYC, where I coordinated clinical services, led professional trainings, and provided harm reduction-informed psychotherapy. In addition, I dedicated 8 years as the Assistant Director of the Concentration in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counseling at The New School for Social Research, teaching and supervising the next generation of clinicians.
Today, alongside my clinical practice, I regularly facilitate trainings and consult with organizations on substance misuse, mindfulness, and trauma-informed care.