My Story: Journey to Becoming a Therapist
My journey to social work began with my love for young people. My first professional role was with one of the largest crisis shelters for homeless youth in New York City, and I knew from my very first heart-to-heart conversation with a young person that I wanted to spend my life advocating, supporting, and helping create spaces where people could thrive.
Over the years, my work has expanded across youth, young adults, families, professionals, and older adults. I have also had the privilege of working in organizational leadership, mental health policy, program development, and systems change. Today, I lead mental health strategy within a large New York City agency, collaborating with government leaders, community organizations, and mental health partners to strengthen supports for New Yorkers.
That experience continually informs my clinical work. It has reinforced my belief that people do not experience life in isolation. Our families, communities, cultures, relationships, identities, workplaces, and larger systems all shape how we experience the world—and all of those pieces deserve space in therapy.
My Philosophy & Approach
My philosophy is grounded in the belief that people are much more than the challenges that bring them to therapy. I approach each client with curiosity, respect, compassion, and an appreciation for the strengths they already possess—even when those strengths may be difficult for them to recognize.
My approach is strengths-based, culturally responsive, collaborative, and practical. I believe therapy should be a space where you can be honest without feeling judged, explore patterns or experiences that may be holding you back, and develop tools that help you move forward.
I also recognize that culture, identity, family, faith, community, and lived experience can be deeply connected to how we understand ourselves. I welcome those parts of your life into therapy whenever they are meaningful to you.
I do not believe therapy should focus only on what is “wrong.” Sometimes the work is about healing. Sometimes it is about understanding yourself better, setting boundaries, navigating change, strengthening relationships, rebuilding confidence, or simply creating space for yourself.
Who I Work With
My practice is especially focused on youth, young adults, and adult women and men of color. I have spent much of my career helping young people navigate growing up, finding their voice, understanding who they are, managing relationships, and making sense of expectations from family, school, peers, and the world around them. I want young people to feel genuinely heard and respected—not simply talked to or told what they should do.
I also enjoy working with young adults navigating identity, relationships, education, career decisions, independence, family expectations, anxiety, self-confidence, and the uncertainty that can come with figuring out what is next.
For adult women and men of color, I understand that emotional well-being cannot always be separated from culture, family, community, work, relationships, and the experience of navigating spaces where you may not always feel fully understood or seen. Therapy can be a place where those experiences do not have to be minimized or explained away.
Why Work with Me
Clients who work with me can expect warmth, authenticity, respect, and a therapist who understands that life can be complicated. I bring many years of experience, but I never assume that makes me the expert on your life. You are.
I see therapy as a partnership. My role is to listen, help you recognize patterns, explore possibilities, build on your strengths, and develop strategies that support the life you want to create.
Most importantly, I want therapy to be a place where you can show up as your full self. You do not need to have all the right words or have everything figured out before you begin.
We can start exactly where you are.
