I am a licensed clinical psychologist with private practices in Dupont Circle and Old Town Alexandria, where I work with individuals and couples. My approach to psychotherapy focuses on increasing my clients’ self-understanding, while addressing those thoughts and behaviors that get in the way of their happiness. In addition to my clinical work with clients, I am an adjunct clinical faculty member for the George Washington University’s Doctor of Psychology Program and a volunteer for HealthRight International, a global human rights organization working on health care issues stemming from human rights violations.

I am also an active member of several divisions of the American Psychological Association, as well as a member of the Washington Center for Psychoanalysis (WCP). I am highly committed to my own professional development and am currently enrolled as a student in the Psychoanalytic Studies Program at the WCP and a graduate of the Center’s Contemporary Psychoanalytic Couple and Family Therapy Training Program.

I studied International Relations and German Literature at the University of Virginia, where I graduated with High Honors. Before embarking on my graduate studies, I worked for several years in both the public and private sectors. I have had the fortune to work in a number of clinical settings during graduate school, including community mental health clinics, public schools, psychiatric hospitals, and university counseling centers. I completed an APA-accredited internship at the Johns Hopkins University and an APPIC-accredited postdoctoral fellowship at the George Washington University, where I also received my doctoral degree. These varied clinical experiences have exposed me to a wide range of clients and presenting concerns. I have an extensive understanding and training in the treatment of mental disorders such as major depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, and personality disorders. In addition to these areas I have advanced training and an interest in men’s issues, LGBT concerns, and sexual assault and trauma.

As a therapist, I treat clients using a combination of psychodynamic and interpersonal theories. I believe that the ways people relate to themselves and others are largely impacted by early experiences and relationships. I have found in my experience that being able to create a safe and mutually respectful relationship with a therapist often gives clients the opportunity to develop insights about themselves and the way they interact with others in their environment. I often use interpersonal interventions in order to process these relational interactions. I am also guided by cultural factors and believe that it is essential to consider these issues when thinking about my clients. Although I emphasize the importance of self-awareness and reflection, I also feel comfortable incorporating other clinical interventions depending on the client’s presenting issues, level of readiness for therapy, and cultural background. In other words, I try to be flexible when working with clients and tailor my approach to their unique dynamics.