For as long as I can remember I knew I wanted to work in a therapeutic capacity. When I was a teenager, I started working at a summer camp for individuals with special needs which solidified that desire. I was seeing the positive impact on the individuals and their family members after a week of strength-based therapeutic care and knew I wanted to find a way to provide longer term support.

My undergraduate degree is from Saint John Fisher College in upstate NY. A prime highlight of that time was studying abroad in Grenoble, France. My Master's degree is from Lesley University where I really enjoyed my internships, one of which was in a Memory Care Unit.

3.) What is something you have discovered about being a therapist that perhaps you didn't realize when you first started this journey?

4.) What are some of your most go-to approaches, interventions or skills?

5.) What is one of the more challenging things about being in this field?

6.) Which themes/topics interest you when considering continuing education in the near future?

I am very interested in EMDR and deepening my understanding of processing trauma in new ways.

I have known since college that I wanted to be in a profession working with and connecting people. I had originally thought I would go down a medical path. However, after working in a nonprofit after college with mothers and children, I experienced the power of voice and the ability to share one’s stories and connect with others. This is when I realized I wanted to continue to do deeper work with people to give a space for their voice and connection/belonging.

As an undergrad at Mount Holyoke College I studied both dance and psychology. This is where I started to make the connection between movement and healing and movement and expression. I went to graduate school at Lesley University where I received a degree in Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Dance/Movement Therapy. I believe there are many ways for individuals to express themselves and having a combination of both verbal and nonverbal communication can sometimes make expressing and processing emotions more accessible.

3.) What is something you have discovered about being a therapist that perhaps you didn't realize when you first started this journey?

4.) What are some of your most go-to approaches, interventions or skills?

5.) What is one of the more challenging things about being in this field?

6.) Which themes/topics interest you when considering continuing education in the near future?

I am very interested in how different aspects of individuals’ identities and their communities can shape their experiences and wellbeing. I think that understanding oneself and feeling a sense of connection and belonging go hand in hand.

I can recall a time in college, when I was reading a research article about expressive therapies being used with pediatric oncology patients. I remember being very intrigued by not only the concept of expressive therapies, but also the variety of settings therapy can be utilized. After that, I would say that I had a series of little moments and experiences that guided me to becoming a therapist.

I earned my Master’s degree from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. I attended Roger Williams University in RI, where I earned a dual, undergraduate degree in psychology and dance performance. In my senior year at Roger Williams, I had the opportunity to complete two projects in both of my programs. I was selected by the psychology dept. to conduct my research study as the Principal Investigator. In my other area of study, I was working on my thesis, which included a composed performance piece of work, and this was selected to be performed at the American College of Dance Association. It was a really unique opportunity to have these two very different passion projects be recognized, and it really illustrated the importance of support and mentorship as I had some truly inspirational professors working alongside me during this time, as well as the support of my family.

3.) What is something you have discovered about being a therapist that perhaps you didn't realize when you first started this journey?

4.) What are some of your most go-to approaches, interventions or skills?

5.) What is one of the more challenging things about being in this field?

6.) Which themes/topics interest you when considering continuing education in the near future?

Right now, I am pursuing continued education in DBT. Looking ahead in the future, I would love to revisit the theme from my earlier education and training,  and pursue more education around the body/mind connection and mindfulness.