In our sessions, I primarily use Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which I find incredibly effective in helping clients manage emotions and build meaningful lives. I also integrate Solution-Focused Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma-Informed Care, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Psychodynamic principles to create a tailored approach for each individual.

When I’m not working with clients, you can find me exploring the great outdoors as an avid hiker, lifting weights at the gym, or enjoying a good board game with friends. I also love to write, and I find it a great way to express creativity and process experiences.

• Master’s in Social Work from Rutgers University

• Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts

• Experience working in acute psychiatric care and crisis management settings

I know how important it is to feel truly heard and supported when life feels overwhelming. My goal is to create a warm, down-to-earth, and collaborative space where you can safely explore your experiences and begin to move forward with clarity and confidence.

I work with adults of all ages, caregivers, and individuals facing anxiety, grief, depression, relationship challenges, women’s issues, and codependency. Many of my clients come to me feeling exhausted, stuck, or uncertain about the future, and together, we focus on building relief, resilience, and a renewed sense of direction.

My approach is rooted in evidence-based practices, while always being tailored to your unique needs and goals. Whether you’re coping with caregiving stress, processing a loss, or seeking more balance and meaning in your daily life, I will meet you with compassion, respect, and encouragement.

Clients often leave therapy feeling lighter, more grounded, and better equipped to handle life’s challenges. They gain healthier coping strategies, improved confidence, and stronger relationships—with themselves and others—along with a renewed sense of hope and balance.

• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of New Jersey

• 24+ years of experience supporting adults and seniors, including those in crisis

• Extensive background in education, including roles as public school teacher, school counselor, Director of School Counseling Services, and Vice Principal

• Specializes in anxiety, grief, depression, relationship issues, women’s issues, and codependency

• Experienced in working with caregivers and individuals navigating major life transitions

• Utilizes evidence-based therapeutic approaches tailored to each client

• Committed to providing compassionate, collaborative, and client-centered care

My goal is to create a welcoming and collaborative space where you feel supported in exploring your emotions, building self-awareness, and working toward meaningful change. My therapeutic style is compassionate, strengths-based, and tailored to your unique experiences.

I work with adolescents, young adults, and adults who are navigating anxiety, mood disorders, relationship challenges, and major life transitions. Drawing from evidence-based approaches, I help clients develop effective coping strategies, build self-confidence, and enhance emotional well-being.

I’m currently working toward my LPC licensure under the supervision of a qualified professional, as required by New Jersey law.

• Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) in the state of New Jersey

• Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Liberty University

• Bachelor’s in Psychology, minor in Sociology – Rutgers University

• Experience working with adolescents, young adults, and adults in outpatient and telehealth settings

• Skilled in evidence-based practices including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Strengths-Based Approaches

• Passionate about supporting clients through anxiety, mood disorders, relationship concerns, and life transitions

• Committed to ongoing professional development and clinical supervision toward LPC licensure

Throughout my career, I have provided care in various settings, including inpatient, partial care, intensive outpatient, and traditional outpatient programs. I have extensive experience addressing a range of mental health and substance use disorders, including depression, mood disorders, and co-occurring conditions. Recently, I have focused on treating anxiety and anxiety-related disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, utilizing specialized training and evidence-based approaches like exposure and response prevention (ERP) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), tailored to meet individual client needs.

At ARBOR Counseling Centers in Westfield, NJ, I play a vital role as a Private Practice Counseling Partner. In this capacity, I provide invaluable consultation on operational and management matters, ensuring that the center maintains high standards of care and service delivery. My extensive experience in clinical settings allows me to offer insights that enhance the effectiveness of therapy programs and foster a supportive environment for both clients and staff.

My professional experience includes over a decade in intensive outpatient programs, with six years as Executive Director in a mental health treatment center. In this leadership role, I oversaw clinical and administrative operations, managing employees and therapy programs to ensure high-quality care. My approach integrates cognitive-behavioral therapy with individualized, strengths-based strategies, focusing on identifying and leveraging personal strengths, such as resilience and creativity, to maximize effectiveness—particularly for adolescents and young adults coping with anxiety, mood disorders, and co-occurring challenges.

Currently, I also serve as the Clinical Director for the Anxiety Institute in Madison, NJ, and as an Adjunct Professor at Montclair State University. In my personal life, I enjoy traveling, spending time with loved ones, and attending sports events, reflecting my commitment to a balanced lifestyle.

• Trauma-Focused CBT Training

• Written Exposure Therapy for PTSD Training

• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Skills Training

• Radically Open Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (RO DBT) Training

• Psychopharmacological Treatment for Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders (OCD)

• Yale Child Study Center: Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) Training

I have more than 15 years of experience in the Mental Health field. My areas of expertise are working with children, adolescents, adults, and families with problems such as academic and behavioral issues, relationship issues, self-injury, suicidal thoughts and tendencies, and coping with trauma. 

My approach is to collaborate with my clients, and demonstrating my commitment by doing the hard work alongside them. I believe in being flexible and adaptable because nobody can predict human behavior or outcomes. Being a good listener is paramount in my profession, and that is why both clients and colleagues find it easy to confide in me. And, because of the often serious nature of my line of work, I believe in the importance of laughing and staying upbeat as much as possible. 

On the personal side, I stay active by training and running at least two to three times a week. I enjoy reading books, but I also love movies. I volunteer as a mentor at Teachers College, Columbia University, which is where I earned my Master’s degree.

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from New Jersey City University

• Master of Arts in Psychology in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University

• Master of Education in Professional Counseling from William Paterson University

• Psychology Adjunct Professor 

• Previously worked as a Clinical Coordinator at the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University

• Prior experience in treating behavioral issues, family conflict, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, self-harm, suicidal ideations, and trauma.

• Fluent in Spanish

Our therapeutic relationship will be unique and collaborative. “Kind, funny, tough” summarizes my approach to every session. You can expect me to listen non-judgmentally to your stories. I will help you feel safe, and guide you in our therapeutic process. I will meet you where you are in terms of your desire to change. But, I will also challenge you and explore the obstacles that hold you back from living the life you want.

My passion for learning and for community were combined when I entered my first class of Introduction to Psychology.  I have always been fascinated by human behavior and I truly enjoy helping others, so combining these two seemed fitting. In my journey to becoming a professional counselor, I had to adapt, restore, become, optimize and rebuild. Going through these phases were not always clear or easy but becoming a counselor has been rewarding and meaningful. It is because of this personal experience that I know how rewarding it can be when you make it through to the other side of these transformative challenges.

I enjoy working with older adolescents and adults in either individual or group settings. My areas of expertise include life transitions, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem. In my time off, I enjoy traveling, spending time with loved ones, reading, and watching movies.  

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from New Jersey City University

• Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology from the College of Saint Elizabeth, with a concentration in Forensic Psychology

• Advanced Counselor Training Certificate to provide clinical supervision for counselors seeking to attain licensure

• Worked for a private mental health organization for over 10 years in Direct Care and Quality Management

• Holds her School Counselor Certificate in New Jersey

• Prior experience in treating anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief, traumatic reactions and sexual assault

• Fluent in Spanish