About Me
I work with thoughtful, capable people who feel stuck, burned out, or overwhelmed—often despite appearing “fine” on the outside. Many struggle with anxiety that won’t quiet down, executive functioning challenges that interfere with follow-through, or exhaustion from years of pushing themselves to keep up.
I focus on asking the right questions, helping you make sense of your experiences, and identifying patterns that contribute to feeling stuck. Our work is collaborative and centered on your lived experience, with gentle challenge when it supports growth and movement toward what matters most.
I see therapy not as fixing something broken, but as building understanding, flexibility, and practical skills that reduce unnecessary struggle. My goal is to help you develop the insight, confidence, and tools to navigate challenges with greater clarity, resilience, and self-trust.
Experience & Expertise
With over 15 years of experience, I have dedicated my career to supporting Autistic and neurodivergent people and their families navigating anxiety, burnout, and executive functioning challenges. I bring deep expertise in helping people understand how their minds work and develop practical, sustainable strategies to reduce distress and improve daily functioning.
My work is grounded in evidence-based care and tailored to the individual. I draw from research-supported approaches to address anxiety and related challenges, always adapting treatment to fit each person’s strengths, needs, and lived experience rather than relying on one-size-fits-all solutions.
My clinical training includes advanced specialization in neurodevelopmental differences, neuropsychology, and Autism across the lifespan:
Training & Credentials
PhD in Clinical Psychology, Virginia Tech
Predoctoral Internship, JFK Partners – Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities specialization, University of Colorado Denver
2 year Postdoctoral Fellowship, Departments of Neuropsychology and the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Johns Hopkins/Kennedy Krieger Institute
This background allows me to integrate scientific rigor with a compassionate, collaborative approach—supporting clients in building insight, confidence, and skills that lead to meaningful, lasting change.
What Therapy Looks Like
Therapy is an active, collaborative process focused on helping you move out of stuck patterns and toward what matters most to you. Sessions are structured but flexible, balancing insight with practical skill-building so that therapy translates into real change in daily life.
Early sessions focus on understanding your goals, your history, and how anxiety, burnout, or executive functioning challenges show up for you. Together, we identify patterns—how thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and environmental demands interact—and clarify where change is most likely to be helpful.
As therapy progresses, our work may include:
Learning skills to manage anxiety, worry, and rumination
Breaking down overwhelming tasks and building executive functioning strategies that fit your life
Addressing avoidance and building confidence through gradual, intentional steps
Understanding your nervous system and stress responses
Practicing flexibility and self-compassion, especially in the context of neurodivergence
Sessions are collaborative and paced intentionally. I offer guidance, feedback, and gentle challenge, always grounded in respect for your lived experience. Therapy is not about doing more or trying harder, but about working more effectively and sustainably.
Over time, the focus shifts toward strengthening your ability to apply these tools independently. The goal is for you to leave therapy with greater clarity, confidence, and a set of skills you can continue using long after sessions end.
Academic, Research and Career Highlights
Prior to transitioning into private practice, I spent over 10 years in academic/medical center settings providing specialized clinical care, teaching, and conducting research. I have published over 19 peer-reviewed papers and presented at national conferences on topics related to assessment and treatment of anxiety and gender differences in Autism. I previously taught graduate level therapy courses and was a clinical supervisor for pre-doctoral students and residents. Working in academic medical centers has given me a depth of experience with complex cases and evidence-based approaches, which directly informs and strengthens the individualized care I provide in my private practice.
Career Highlights:
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Eastern Virginia Medical School since 2016
Former clinician and Clinical Director of Outpatient Therapy Services in Mental Health Service Line at Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters
Learn more about my background and research:
Are you ready to take the next step?
If you’re ready to move beyond just coping and start building a clearer, more fulfilling path forward, I invite you to reach out. Let’s connect and see how we can work together to support your journey toward growth and well-being.