Therapeutic Services and Specialties

Every one of us has likely experienced at least one moment in life when everything suddenly feels like it is shifting. Often, it isn’t until the dust settles that we feel the aftershock of all the adjustments required to move forward. These pivotal moments can alter our perspectives and values and affect our ability to feel grounded or satisfied in our day-to-day lives. Perhaps your health status has changed and the future now feels uncertain; maybe you are taking a leap and switching careers; perhaps you are growing your family and stepping into parenthood; maybe you are moving to a new city or returning home after time abroad; or perhaps you are learning how to live on after the loss of someone dear. Navigating life transitions is one of the most common reasons people seek therapy, and research consistently shows that having structured support during periods of change can reduce distress, increase emotional resilience, and help people regain a sense of meaning and direction. My work in this area focuses on helping individuals process change, understand its emotional and identity impact, and move forward feeling more grounded, clear, and supported in the life they are building.

Having both clinical and personal experience with international and cross-cultural issues, this work is a true passion of mine. Living with a sense of having one foot in each world can be enriching, but it can also feel complex, isolating, and emotionally demanding. For parents who immigrated to the U.S. as children or adults and are now raising first-generation children, questions often arise about how to preserve cultural roots, values, and family traditions while also navigating the realities of the American school system and broader culture their children inhabit. Others may be adults raised by immigrant parents who find themselves struggling to understand where they belong, how to define their cultural identity, or how to communicate differences in values, expectations, or priorities within their families. These experiences can bring up tension, guilt, grief, pride, and a desire for clarity all at once. Therapy can offer a space to explore the impact of cultural transitions, identity shifts, and intergenerational dynamics in a way that honors where you come from while supporting where you are now. This work can be deeply validating, illuminating, and empowering as individuals and families make meaning of their lived experiences and find a sense of integration and belonging.

Living with anxiety, OCD, or phobias can feel like having a relentless internal alarm system—one that constantly warns you what to fear, what to avoid, or what must be “fixed” right now. Even when you know the fear doesn’t fully make sense, the voice is loud, persuasive, and exhausting. Many people describe feeling stuck in cycles of overthinking, reassurance-seeking, or avoidance that shrink life down rather than protect it. I use evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), to help clients change their relationship with that fear-based voice. Rather than trying to eliminate anxiety entirely, we work toward reducing its power—learning how to respond differently so it no longer runs the show. Over time, the volume comes down, confidence increases, and life begins to feel more open, flexible, and manageable again.

Experiencing depression or mood-related concerns can feel like moving through life with the color turned down—motivation fades, energy dips, and even things that once felt meaningful can start to feel distant or effortful. For others, mood shifts may be less predictable, with periods of feeling “up,” driven, or restless followed by crashes that leave you depleted, discouraged, or unsure of what version of yourself to trust. I work with individuals experiencing depression, mood disorders, and bipolar-spectrum conditions using evidence-based approaches tailored to each person’s unique pattern and needs. Treatment may include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), behavioral activation, mood monitoring, and skills focused on increasing stability, self-awareness, and emotional regulation. Rather than reducing someone to a diagnosis, the work centers on helping you understand your mood patterns, strengthen consistency, and build a life that feels more steady, meaningful, and aligned—across both the quieter and more intense chapters.

So… are men also welcome in this therapy thing? Yes. Absolutely. Men are significantly less likely to seek mental health support—and far more likely to suffer in silence. In the U.S., men account for the majority of suicide deaths, are more likely to use alcohol or substances to cope with stress, and often delay getting help until things feel unmanageable. This isn’t because men experience fewer emotions—it’s because many were taught to handle them alone. Stress, depression, anger, burnout, relationship strain, identity shifts, and major life transitions often show up differently for men. Instead of sadness or worry, distress may appear as irritability, emotional shutdown, overworking, risky behaviors, or increased alcohol use. Over time, these patterns can take a real toll on mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. Therapy offers a space where men don’t have to perform, fix, or power through. My work with men is practical, collaborative, and grounded—focused on understanding patterns, strengthening emotional awareness, and building tools that actually translate into daily life. Whether you’re navigating career pressure, fatherhood, relationships, or questions of identity, the goal is to help you feel more steady, capable, and connected—without losing who you are.

Being a woman often means moving through multiple identities—sometimes by choice, sometimes by necessity, and often all at once. Pregnancy, postpartum changes, motherhood, and the mental load of caring for others can profoundly shift how you relate to your body, your relationships, and yourself. Many women describe feeling stretched thin, emotionally overwhelmed, or quietly disconnected from who they used to be. Later transitions can bring their own challenges. Perimenopause, hormonal changes, shifts in health, and the experience of children growing more independent or leaving home can stir grief, anxiety, irritability, or a sense of loss that’s hard to name. These experiences are common, deeply human, and often under-discussed—leaving many women wondering if something is “wrong” with them, rather than recognizing they are responding to real change. As both a psychologist and a mother, I understand how layered these seasons can be. In my work with women, therapy becomes a space to slow down, make sense of emotional and identity shifts, and reconnect with your values and sense of self. The goal is not to return to who you were before, but to integrate who you are now—so life feels more grounded, balanced, and authentically yours.

Physical disability and chronic illness often affect far more than the body alone. Changes in vision, mobility, energy, or physical functioning can reshape daily routines, independence, relationships, and sense of identity—sometimes abruptly, sometimes over time. Many people experience grief for abilities once taken for granted, along with the ongoing effort required to adapt in a world that is not always built with disability in mind. My work in this area is deeply informed by experience. I previously worked at a Center for the Blind and completed my doctoral dissertation on the psychological impact of vision loss in immigrant men. Through this work, I developed a nuanced understanding of how disability intersects with culture, identity, independence, and belonging—factors that are often overlooked in traditional mental health care. In therapy, I support individuals navigating physical disability and chronic health conditions as they process loss and change while also strengthening resilience, self-trust, and meaning. The focus is not on minimizing real limitations or forcing optimism, but on integrating your lived experience, reclaiming agency where possible, and building a life that feels grounded, dignified, and aligned with who you are now.

Trauma can leave the nervous system stuck in survival mode—where memories intrude without warning, the body reacts as if danger is still present, and avoidance begins to shape daily life. For some, this shows up as PTSD symptoms such as hypervigilance, nightmares, emotional numbing, or sudden waves of fear. For others, trauma becomes tied to specific phobias or situations that feel impossible to face, even long after the original threat has passed. PTSD and trauma are highly treatable with the right support. I work with individuals using structured, trauma-informed approaches that help reduce the power trauma holds over the present. This includes Prolonged Exposure (PE), which involves gradually and safely confronting trauma-related memories, emotions, and avoided situations—both through guided recall and real-world practice—so the nervous system can learn that the danger is no longer happening now. I also incorporate narrative work, helping clients organize, process, and reclaim their story in a way that restores coherence, meaning, and a sense of control. Trauma work is not about reliving the past endlessly or being pushed before you are ready. It is a collaborative process paced with care, focused on building safety while allowing healing to occur. With support, many people experience meaningful relief, increased stability, and a renewed sense of agency—often in ways they did not think were possible.

Working with neurodivergent individuals is one of the most meaningful parts of my work. I have a particular passion for supporting individuals with high-functioning autism, ADHD, and other learning or developmental differences who often experience the world with heightened intensity, deep focus, and unique patterns of thinking. This can include rigidity, difficulty with transitions, or OCD-like thought patterns and routines that feel necessary for predictability and safety, but can also become limiting or distressing over time. Therapy is not only about emotional regulation—though that remains important—but also about building real, usable social skills and increasing self-understanding. I provide intensive support around social navigation, perspective-taking, boundaries, and communication, while also offering a consistent, safe space to decompress, reflect, and feel genuinely accepted. For many clients, therapy becomes a rare place where they don’t have to mask, perform, or explain themselves—especially when school, work, or social environments feel overwhelming. The goal is to help neurodivergent individuals understand their own patterns, strengthen flexibility where helpful, and experience greater connection, confidence, and self-trust in a world that doesn’t always make room for difference.

Children often express worry, stress, and big emotions through play long before they can put words to them. I work with children ages 6 and up who are navigating anxiety, perfectionism, school-related stress, and the many emotional transitions that come with growing—such as changes in routines, academic expectations, friendships, or family dynamics. Many of the children I work with are emotionally sensitive, thoughtful, and highly aware of their surroundings, often feeling pressure to do things “right” or struggling quietly with self-doubt and worry. My work with children focuses on building emotional awareness, coping skills, and social understanding in a developmentally appropriate and supportive way. Through play-based and talk-based approaches, therapy helps children learn how to identify and express feelings, manage anxiety, and build confidence in themselves and their relationships. As both a psychologist and a parent, I place strong value on parent collaboration and coaching—helping caregivers better understand what their child is experiencing and how to respond when anxiety flares up. The goal is to support children while also equipping parents with tools and language that foster calm, connection, and confidence at home and at school.

Sexuality and intimacy are central parts of human experience, yet they are often the hardest topics to talk about openly. Questions around desire, identity, connection, boundaries, and sexual functioning can bring up vulnerability, shame, confusion, or fear of being judged—leading many people to carry these concerns alone or avoid them altogether. I work with individuals and couples across the spectrum of sexual orientation, gender identity, and relationship structures in a supportive, affirming, and sex-positive way. Therapy can be a space to explore sexual identity, intimacy concerns, mismatched desire, communication around sex, and sexual difficulties that arise in the context of stress, trauma, medical changes, or long-term relationships. All conversations are approached with respect, curiosity, and clinical care—without assumptions about how you “should” feel or what intimacy is supposed to look like. Whether you are navigating questions about identity, struggling with connection or sexual functioning in a relationship, or simply wanting a space where these topics can be discussed openly and safely, the goal is to help you feel more informed, empowered, and connected—to yourself and to others.

Some of my favorite conversations were spent sitting with my great aunt Pina in Italy, listening to stories about her life—its hardships, joys, love, loss, and everything she had lived through. Those moments shaped my deep respect for this stage of life and my belief that aging is not something to be endured, but something that can still be lived with richness and meaning. Research on long-term adult development and happiness has consistently shown that people who experience greater well-being and even longevity in later years are those who remain emotionally connected—to themselves, to others, and to their communities—rather than those who try to avoid difficulty or loss. At the same time, this phase of life can bring very real challenges, including grief, medical changes, loneliness, shifting roles, and questions about identity or purpose. Therapy can be a place to speak honestly about these experiences without minimizing them, while also exploring how joy, connection, and meaning can continue to grow. My work with older adults is grounded in deep respect for the complexity, resilience, and wisdom that comes with a life fully lived, and in the belief that hope, vitality, and purpose are not limited by age.

Therapists and helping professionals often carry a unique mix of emotional exposure, responsibility, and pressure to remain regulated and available. Over time, this work can become draining in ways that extend beyond the therapy room—making it harder to feel present with friends, family, and the day-to-day demands of life. Burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary trauma can quietly accumulate, even when the work itself remains meaningful. I offer therapy specifically attuned to clinicians and helpers, with an understanding of the ethical, relational, and internal demands of this role. Our work may focus on restoring energy and boundaries, processing the emotional residue of clinical work, and reconnecting with a more sustainable sense of engagement—both professionally and personally. An important part of this process involves increasing awareness of one’s own history, patterns, and vulnerabilities, which supports clearer recognition of transference and countertransference as they arise in clinical work. My approach integrates CBT, insight-oriented and relational therapy, and trauma-informed strategies, allowing space for both practical support and deeper self-of-the-therapist exploration.