My undergraduate degree in anthropology from Johns Hopkins University immersed me in understanding alternative viewpoints and ways of life. I learned how powerful context can be in shaping our perceptions of ourselves and the world around us. With some skills and practice, we can leverage this power to find meaning and facilitate wellness.

I found great personal meaning in my experience volunteering and conducting ethnographic research at a trauma-informed workforce development NGO supporting vulnerable populations. I had the privilege of getting to know participants with many different kinds of lived experiences and stories to tell, such as challenges related to home insecurity, history of incarceration, substance misuse, physical disability, and mental illness. This experience led me to commit to making the world safe for human differences. I strive to create spaces where people feel safe to be themselves.

I spent over three years as a business researcher, interviewing and advising top executives at global companies on their biggest challenges. Underneath the industry jargon and business technicalities were always common patterns in fundamental human behavior. Core psychological concepts formed the basis of much of the business research I conducted, leading me to believe that we can all benefit from counseling simply because we are all human. Business bottlenecks are human problems. Relationship challenges are human problems. And so on. No problem is any more or less valid or deserving of help and empathy.

I am currently a clinical mental health counselor-in-training at Northwestern’s Family Institute (anticipated graduation December 2027). I am particularly interested in the mind-body connection, natural therapeutic settings, and neurofeedback.

I wish to support adults who want to improve their relationship with themselves or those around them; those seeking support during a major life change; and those looking to grow in any aspect of their lives and to increase their wellness, joy, peace, and vitality.