ABOUT
Athena reaps a bountiful harvest.
Stagnant fields at 40…
In midlife, Athena came to me after breaking off her engagement. She had been an undergraduate student at the local university for the past four years. Being a student and working retail part-time, she struggled to complete her degree in finance.
Because of the breakup, she now had to move back in with her irritable mother. No partner, no career, no degree, a stressful home environment, and no independence.
Stonewalled. Set back. She felt like a failure – like her life would never get better.
Clearing the soil…
Together, we defined the problems in her life that she most needed to address.
As she unloaded her struggles onto me, I was able to share her burden and give her tools to manage her worries and sadness.
Rotating to a successful crop –
During our time together, Athena began picking up the pieces.
She developed healthy communication skills, and her relationship with her mother improved. She re-enrolled in college part-time, changed jobs, and now works as an office assistant.
She even began casually dating again.
She’s not yet quite where she wants to be, but she is on a direct path to getting there. She knows her goals and self-worth. She is more confident and assured knowing that her efforts are paying off.
Through her despair, Athena grew to greater heights than she could have imagined.
And so can you.
Tending your garden…
Therapy is a time to explore your garden once a week and see what needs to be done. I am the master gardener that will put on my gloves and grab my trowel to help you tend it.
You’ll open the gate, and we’ll walk each row side by side. Together, we’ll assess the trouble areas. We’ll start weeding the garden, and focus on the most problematic parts.
During each hour together, I’ll recommend strategies on how to reclaim your soil until I see you next week. When we return, we tend to the next step: planting seeds.
When I’m not there, it’s your responsibility to water, fertilize, and nurture every living thing – to implement the skills you’ve learned in session.
However, if you fail to care for your fragile seedlings, we might only be pruning weeds week after week. This is where accountability and responsibility come into play.
I work with clients who are DONE with where they are and how they currently feel.
Eventually, you’ll hone the skills to tend your garden independently and enjoy the beauty and yield of your labor.
About Me
My interest in becoming a psychotherapist started when I was a child. Aspects of my life both at home and at school were very difficult. In 4th grade after I changed an exam grade from a 40 to a 90, my teacher gave up on me and sent me to the school counselor’s office.
That’s when things began to change for me. The counselor showed an interest in what I had to say without criticizing or belittling me. I met with her during lunch once a week for the remainder of the school year. It was still a rough year, but she helped me find balance and develop better coping skills.
Elementary school was not an easy time, but the school counselor’s help stuck with me. When I graduated high school, I knew I wanted to be like her and help others.
When I am not helping my clients or teaching students, I am either traveling or tending to self-care at home with my cat Jupiter DragonFace. I will admit that I am a little obsessed with Rome; I spend an hour a week with a tutor studying Italian. I’m also always engaged in some kind of craft project.
My Tools
I completed my B.A. in Psychology, M.A. in Psychology, and Master’s in Social Work at Stony Brook University. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for the states of New York, New Jersey, and Florida.
I currently serve as an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at CUNY Brooklyn College while I pursue my Ph.D. in Social Work at Smith College.
My clientele primarily consists of adults 18 and over. My experience stems from a variety of outpatient settings including schools, clinics, and private practice.
I specialize in mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma, relationship stress, family stress, and other life stressors.