About

I’ve always had an interest in relationships and what makes them work both atomically / cellular and within the more tangible physical world, specifically interpersonal relationships. As an undergraduate student I pursued biological studies with an emphasis in chemistry; both hard sciences. I should disclose here that my life trajectory was altered by a traumatic experience early in life altering my dreams of becoming a neurologist…Yes, I had to put off starting college at a traditional age because I was faced with an impasse. From this near death experience and counseling I gleaned courage and a desire to not let my trauma define me (not to mention a real thrill for extreme sports like rock-climbing, free-base jumping and like sports)…this took much dedication and a motivation to not be a victim but rather a survivor!

Once I finished a true pre-med tract I found myself changed…I was matured and had begun to see a shift in cultural norms…Society was changing and the world where I once felt limited by what once marginalized me was now opening up and becoming more accepting of personal beliefs and values that I hold. I then considered what for me would be more fulfilling, to become the MD or assuaging a new interest…I wanted to understand why people become unfulfilled in life, the organic psychological processes that pull one from being their true authentic and best self. In many ways I had looked inward, allowing my own self-healing to bolster a belief I hold dear to my heart; Securing a happy life begins when we become less self-absorbed and more interested in being of service to something greater than one’s self…but rather others.

For me life was no longer about the title, the prestige of a medical practice and the riches in life that come from this…my drive was simple. I knew that if I could overcome, so could I assist and motivate others to overcome as well! Believe me when I say when my trauma happened I considered less amicable life options…At 17 years of age, I wanted to sit in it and feel sorry for myself while blaming others thus wasting precious time…It is only because I wanted more from life and had a strong support in therapy that life changed for me!

For the sake of brevity, let me say I decided to pursue the study of counseling theory and its applications in graduate school. From this I am now a clinical mental health therapist with master’s level training and extensive, broad-based experience in the mental health field. I received my MS in Clinical Counseling from Grand Canyon University. I completed my graduate internship on the Delmarva peninsula focusing on school-based therapy with children, adolescents and families in underserved areas. From these professional beginnings, I have diversified into a broader scope of practice while working with a mobile crisis mental health team. With this experience I provided mental health treatment to individuals where traditional services have otherwise failed. Likewise, I have worked in out-patient mental health settings providing treatment in traditional and dual diagnosis settings, both in the suburbs and city of Baltimore, MD. In summation, I have worked with individuals of all ages (8 – Senior), couples, families and groups. Much of my clinical experience has centered on individuals managing anxiety / depression cycle, bipolarity / mood disorders, sexual issues / dysfunction, forensic cases including court ordered treatment, LGBT+needs as well as individuals enduring severe / pervasive mental health concerns.

I have 15+ years of experience working in the field of counseling…I have much life experience in practicing selflessness, both personally and professionally. It is the latter that allows me to be accepting of others without judgment, truly listen to the needs of others, empathize and to never feel sorry for someone but quite the opposite…to feel excited when one embraces change and learns what acceptance of the true-self means. We are all a development of the chain of events that has led us to where we stand. My clients range from highly-motivated, high functioning with much success in life to those that are less-motivated, broken by mental chains that bear down on them. As I have matured as a clinician I truly consider how diagnoses affect both our relationships with self as well with others. I am a spark and enjoy being an impetus to all my clients growth potentials…this is what excites me about the work that I do!

Last to share, I provide a blended style of treatment strongly rooted in the cognitive behavioral approach. I utilize a range of methods pulled from post-graduate trainings in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, Trauma Informed Care, Multicultural Care, Solution-Focused Therapy (Brief), Mindfulness Practices, Anger Management and Pain Management. An important truth to remember is that change is not easy nor is it comfortable in the beginning (so true about beneficial therapy too)…WE MUST LEARN TO BE UNCOMFORTABLE IN ORDER TO ACCEPT COMFORT! We also must learn to change our narrative…what we deem as acceptable in life may be what drags us down…Let me help you rewrite your story if change is what you desire!