Why I Became A Therapist
I didn’t grow up thinking I would be a therapist! I very much wanted to be a touring songwriter. After high school, I began releasing music and touring all over the U.S. and the U.K. After about five years, I realized that life on the road was not for me.
Since I was a young child, I struggled with depression and anxiety. Eventually, substance use and addiction developed as a way to cope. Through therapy, medication, support groups, community, art, and holistic healing modalities, I was able to turn my life around.
In 2017, a friend of mine was working at a drug and alcohol rehab and asked if I needed a job. I was just leaving the music world and needed employment badly. I wasn’t very interested in helping others for a living at the time, but the job was straightforward. I worked as a behavioral health technician, making sure clients attended group and individual therapy sessions, went to bed on time, and had support when counselors went home. I very quickly fell in love with working with people in crisis and soon enrolled in my local community college, beginning my journey toward becoming a therapist.
About me
My mission as a therapist is simple: to offer the same level of care, compassion, and service that I would want my own loved ones to receive. I have been working in the helping profession since 2017, serving adults across a wide range of clinical and community settings. I earned both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work and addiction counseling from Rutgers University, where my training fostered a strong foundation in evidence-based therapy and person-centered care.
Throughout my career, I have supported individuals in environments ranging from detox and residential treatment to nonprofit outreach and community support programs. This breadth of experience has shaped a therapeutic style grounded in clinical expertise, empathy, and collaboration.
I take a holistic approach to therapy, seeing each client as a whole person—mind, body, and spirit—and recognizing that lasting healing often comes from integrating multiple layers of care. I draw from classic therapeutic models such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), while also incorporating somatic techniques, mindfulness, meditation, breathwork, and spiritual exploration when aligned with each client’s needs and values.
Above all, my work is personalized. I meet clients where they are, build treatment around their unique goals, and help create a safe space for reflection, healing, and growth. I specialize in addiction, anxiety, depression, and life transitions, offering support to adults of all ages who are navigating change, emotional distress, or recovery.
Whether you are searching for clarity, balance, relief, or a new beginning, therapy is a place where you don’t have to walk alone. It would be an honor to support you along the way.
MY THERAPEUTIC APPROACH
I know many therapists say this, but I truly do tailor my approach to each client. There is no cookie-cutter recipe for healing.
Some clients primarily need to be heard and validated and may not benefit from being pushed quickly into change. Others feel ready for action and benefit from a more directive, goal-oriented approach. My role is to meet you where you are and adjust accordingly.
I use different tools and modalities based on each client’s needs. Some clients benefit more from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), where we explore how thoughts influence emotions and behaviors. When we shift patterns of thinking, meaningful emotional change often follows. Other clients benefit from spiritual counseling, where we lean into your individual belief system and utilize tools such as acceptance, faith, prayer, and meditation.
For clients seeking a more somatic approach, I am a certified breathwork instructor and offer various styles of breathwork in sessions. Breathwork can be a powerful tool for anxiety, depression, addiction, and processing trauma or stuck emotional patterns.
During our consultation call, we’ll explore your goals, I’ll answer any questions you may have, and together we’ll assess whether I’m a good fit to support you on your healing journey.
A session with me!
If you’re reading this, you’re likely seeking a therapist and wondering whether I might be the right fit for you. I’d like to share a bit about my approach and what a session with me may feel like.
First, it’s important to acknowledge something obvious but true: no one wants to open up to someone they don’t like or trust. No one wants to share their story in an uncomfortable environment. And no one wants to spend time with a professional who doesn’t understand what they’re going through.
The first step is always making sure I can genuinely help you. I currently provide therapy to clients who reside in New Jersey. I primarily work with adults, though I do sometimes accept teenagers. I specialize in addiction, depression, anxiety, and life transitions, and I work with both individuals and couples. During our consultation call, I’ll ask questions to better understand your needs and determine whether I’m the right therapist for you. If I’m not, I’m always happy to help connect you with someone who may be a better fit.
Second, I strive to create a comfortable, grounded environment where clients feel safe to share. Whether we’re meeting in person or online, I aim to make the space feel calm and welcoming. In session, I’m fully present and attentive. You have my full focus, which I express through body language, thoughtful follow-up questions, and empathetic feedback. My goal is to help you feel at ease enough to let your guard down and get the most out of our work together.
Once we’ve established a strong therapeutic relationship, we’ll begin exploring what may need to change in order for you to start feeling better. This process can be complex and, at times, challenging. My role is not to change you, but to support and empower you in using the tools you already have to become the best version of yourself.
Because every client is different, our work will look different, too. Sometimes that means taking a deep dive into your thought patterns and core beliefs. Where did these beliefs come from? When did they begin? Are they still serving you? What evidence supports them—and what evidence challenges them? Together, we can explore different approaches to changing your relationship with unhelpful thoughts.
At other times, the focus may be on your environment or life circumstances. Are you feeling lonely and needing more connection? Navigating a difficult relationship or the end of one? Struggling with grief, loss, or a sense of dissatisfaction or hopelessness about the future? Together, we’ll work toward setting meaningful, achievable goals that support building a life you genuinely want to wake up to each morning. And in many ways, that sense of purpose and connection can be powerful medicine.
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To provide the same level of care and support that I would want my loved ones to receive
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I specialize in adults of all ages who are struggling with depression, anxiety, addiction, and life transitions
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I strive to create a comfortable environment and build a mutual trust with my clients. I utilize a mix of traditional modalities (CBT, ACT) and incorporate holistic modalities, including breathwork, mindfulness, and spiritual tools
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I am in network with Aetna and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield. I also provide a sliding scale for those paying out of pocket. Reach out for more details!