I grew up in the Philadelphia area before heading across the country to study Psychology at Colorado State University. While I initially went out west to get an education, I ended up finding something much bigger—a deep connection to the outdoors and a sense of adventure that would go on to shape both my life and my work.

After graduating, I found my way into wilderness therapy, where I was able to bring together my passion for psychology and the natural world. I spent several years working as a field guide in the red deserts of Utah and the mountains of Colorado. During that time, I witnessed how powerful it can be to step outside of the distractions of everyday life and into a milieu that invites personal exploration, reflection, and growth. I saw how capable, bright, and resilient young people are when given the right balance of therapeutic support, programmatic structure, and intentional community. Being out in the wilderness has a peculiar way of bringing down our walls and allowing vulnerability and authenticity to rise to the surface. It routinely offers unique moments of challenge, success, connection, and unexpected beauty, which can often be a conduit for deeply transformative experiences.

I later went further west to earn my Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute, and have since worked as a therapist in a variety of settings, including continuation high school and alternative education programs. Along the way, I’ve had the opportunity to learn from many talented clinicians and diverse perspectives, which continue to inform how I show up in my work.

There is no one-size-fits-all modality in therapy, and I find it essential to have a large toolbox of approaches and interventions to pull from to adapt to the needs of each individual and each moment. As a therapist, I aim to strike a balance between insight and practical skills, depth and light-heartedness, warmth and thoughtful challenge. Genuine curiosity and empathy are two simple yet powerful principles that guide my work, as these are critical in fostering relationships that help us feel heard, known, and safe to explore our inner world–and I am a believer that the relationship is the true building block upon which all therapeutic interactions are based.

At the foundation of my clinical approach is psychodynamic theory. This means one of my big focuses is developing a deep understanding of each individual. I am interested in uncovering why things feel hard or heavy, how to move forward, and who each person is underneath all the layers. I listen closely to help interpret what may be causing challenging relational patterns or distressing emotions and thoughts, as well as what is really trying to be communicated by unproductive or harmful behaviors. All of that information serves to clarify what each individual's path toward growth looks like, and the actionable, real world steps we may take to get there.

As a family systems therapist, I recognize that individuals exist within the broader context of their family culture and relationships. I work to understand how the family functions as a whole—its story, its strengths, its challenges, and the ways each member contributes to its dynamics. This perspective helps identify what can be reinforced and what may need to shift to support a more connected, collaborative, and healthy system. I believe that meaningful engagement from the whole family is a key factor in supporting and sustaining the growth that emerges through wilderness therapy.

In the end, my goal is to help individuals develop thorough and honest self-awareness, reconnect with their innate strengths, and build the skills needed to communicate effectively, meet their needs, and form more meaningful, aligned relationships—skills they can carry with them throughout their lives.

I believe that each person at their core is inherently good, loving, insightful, resilient, creative, and has unique gifts to offer the world. The most important thing that we can do for ourselves is putting in the work to slowly peel off the experiences and beliefs that have covered up these qualities and reconnect to the incredible human that's been waiting underneath the whole time.

I often feel like I have too many hobbies and not enough time for all of them. I love being outside in almost any form, whether that’s climbing, biking, floating a river, snowboarding, watching a sunset on the beach, or walking through the woods playing disc golf. These experiences have shaped my life in meaningful ways, taking me to beautiful places, teaching me about myself and the world around me, and helping me build lasting friendships.

I’m also deeply drawn to art, music, and creative expression. Living in Asheville has given me endless opportunities to explore different creative outlets, which I love. Music is a constant in my life, whether I’m at a concert, playing with friends, or listening to records from my vinyl collection. I’m also a very amateur woodworker, and I’m inspired by the blend of creativity and functionality that comes with making something by hand.

At the core of all of these interests is a deep curiosity about what it means to be human and a desire to engage with life in a meaningful, thoughtful, and appreciative way.