About Me

I was born and raised in northern Illinois. After graduating from high school, I went into the workforce, where I was employed in direct healthcare and healthcare administration positions. During this time, I primarily cared for individuals with Alzheimer’s and Dementia, and this experience cultivated a passion for providing care to other individuals. I eventually went back to school to obtain my bachelor’s degree in psychology from Northern Illinois University and subsequently matriculated to the Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology in 2022.

I am currently a fourth-year student in the Clinical Psychology program at NIU and specializing in trauma studies. My training as a doctoral student has spanned a wide range of clinical settings, and I have had the privilege of working with individuals spanning diverse backgrounds and mental health challenges. While I primarily work with adults, I also have experience supporting adolescents and families. I invite individuals of all backgrounds and identities to the therapy space and strive to cultivate a supportive and compassionate environment.

Therapeutic Approach
As a therapist, I believe that meaningful and lasting change occurs when therapy is collaborative and driven by an individual’s strengths. To the therapy space, I bring curiosity, clinical knowledge, composure, and respect for each person’s lived experience. I draw from evidence-based approaches including ACT and cognitive-behavioral therapies but also recognize the value and need for integrative approaches as well. My approach emphasizes insight, education, and skills building to help individuals move towards therapeutic change.

Areas of Specialty

Trauma and PTSD

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health condition that can develop after exposure to a traumatic event such as combat, physical or sexual assault, natural disasters, serious accidents, or other life-threatening experiences. PTSD may present with a range of symptoms, including but not limited to intrusive memories or flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance of reminders of the trauma, negative changes in thoughts or mood, heightened startle response, irritability, and emotional numbness. My background in trauma-focused research and clinical training informs my approach to working with individuals who have experienced acute and/or chronic trauma. I have extensive experience treating trauma-related disorders, including PTSD, and draw from cognitive-behavioral models such as Prolonged Exposure (PE), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Written Exposure Therapy (WET). I am especially familiar with how trauma often coincides with other psychiatric conditions and symptoms, particularly, substance use, dissociation, and OCD.

Addiction and Substance Use

Addiction and substance use disorders involve the compulsive use of drugs or alcohol despite harmful consequences to one’s health, relationships, or responsibilities. In working with clients navigating addiction or substance use, I take a compassionate, nonjudgmental, and collaborative approach. I use evidence-based treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and relapse prevention strategies to help clients build insight, identify triggers, and develop healthier coping mechanisms. My goal is to support individuals in making meaningful, sustainable changes that align with their values and long-term well-being—whether they are working toward harm reduction, sobriety, or other recovery goals.

Emotional Dysregulation

Emotional dysregulation refers to difficulties managing and responding to emotional experiences in a way that feels effective, balanced, or consistent with one’s goals and values. Individuals struggling with emotional dysregulation may experience intense emotional responses, rapid shifts in mood, difficulty calming, impulsive reactions, or challenges expressing themselves or their emotions effectively. Drawing from evidence-based strategies, I take a compassionate approach to helping individuals develop effective coping skills, and flexible emotional responding. My goal is to support individuals in building greater emotional resilience, improve relational interactions, and develop a stronger sense of confidence in navigating emotional experiences.

Other Areas of Clinical Focus

In addition to the specialty areas listed above, I also provide services in the following areas:
• Integrative therapy
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Women’s issues
• Personality functioning
• Depression and Anxiety
• Relational functioning
• Differential diagnosis

Certifications and Training

• Prolonged Exposure Therapy
• Cognitive Processing Therapy
• Written Exposure Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia
• Certified Nursing Assistant