From a young age, I was deeply curious about people. Before I had the language to ask the questions on my mind, I wondered quietly about my friends and their inner worlds. That early curiosity never faded. With time, I learned how to ask, how to listen, and how to understand what life feels like from someone else’s perspective. This early interest has become my professional concentration and a source of great personal satisfaction.

I earned a doctorate in clinical psychology to deepen this ability and to learn how reflection, presence, and thoughtful guidance can support real change. Working in correctional and rehabilitation settings showed me that people sometimes need more than empathy; they often need practical tools and steady guidance. I broadened my approach with skills-based strategies and learned to gently challenge and offer alternative perspectives.

During my residency at a psychiatric hospital in Massachusetts and later at Northwestern University’s The Family Institute, I saw that while many struggles are shared, each person lives them in a distinct way. My work is to understand the whole person in ways that go beyond a clinical description and tailor therapy to their history, needs, and temperament.

Today, I draw from a range of evidence-based approaches—Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, psychodynamic therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Internal Family Systems. My philosophy is straightforward: focus on the individual, identify what’s helpful together, and adapt as we go.