I know what it's like to juggle it all -
and to carry the WEIGHT OF the past
I know firsthand what it’s like to balance multiple roles while trying to keep everything together. Over the years, I’ve worn many hats – military service member, market researcher, wife, mother, lifelong student, and therapist – each bringing unique challenges and demands.
I’ve navigated the complexities of parenting while building a career, transitioning between fields, and adapting to new environments. I’ve pursued advanced education while juggling other responsibilities, from earning an MBA and MSW to completing post-graduate psychoanalytic training. These experiences have shown me firsthand the pressures of high achievement and the challenges of balancing personal growth with life’s demands.
I also understand the emotional weight of reinventing yourself—whether through major life changes, career shifts, or stepping into a new role that challenges your sense of identity. Navigating life and career transitions can be overwhelming, filled with uncertainty, self-doubt, and the pressure to “get it right.”
But beyond all of that, I understand what it’s like to have your world turned upside down.
In midlife, I uncovered repressed trauma from my past—an experience that was deeply destabilizing and forced me to reexamine everything I thought I knew about myself. Suddenly, the emotions and patterns I had long pushed aside surfaced, demanding to be understood and healed. I know what it feels like to have the past catch up with you when you least expect it—and how overwhelming that process can be.
A big part of this journey was recognizing the impact of growing up with narcissistic parents. As a child, I learned that my thoughts and feelings weren’t important—that my role was to stay small, not take up too much space, and never outshine my mother, who always had to be the star of the family.
The effects of this followed me for years: people-pleasing, struggling to trust my own voice, and feeling like whatever I had to say wasn’t worthy of being heard.
How Early Experiences Shape Anxiety and Control
On top of that, my father had a volatile temper, and we all grew up walking on eggshells around him. The fear of saying the wrong thing, setting him off, or being met with anger made it even harder to speak up, express my wishes, or feel safe in my own emotions.
Over time, this constant need to anticipate and avoid conflict turned into anxiety and a deep need for control. I learned to micromanage my world as much as possible—maximizing my chances of success and minimizing the risk of being on the receiving end of his anger. If I could just be perfect—if I could say the right things, perform well, and never make mistakes—then maybe I could feel safe.
That drive for perfection and control followed me for years, showing up in my education, my career, and even my relationships. It wasn’t until I did my own healing work that I learned how to let go—how to trust myself, release the fear of failure, and embrace the uncertainty of life without feeling overwhelmed.
👉 If you’ve struggled with anxiety, perfectionism, or feeling like you have to “hold everything together,” therapy can help. Let’s explore how you can begin to feel more balanced.
👉 Schedule a free consultation today
From Perfectionism and People-Pleasing to Self-Acceptance and Balance
For years, I wrestled with perfectionism, people-pleasing, and the need to have control—a familiar struggle for so many high achievers. I thought if I could just do everything right, I could avoid disappointment, rejection, or uncertainty.
But as I worked through my own healing, I realized something powerful: being “good enough” is more than enough.
- I learned to set boundaries that honor my needs as much as others’.
- I became more flexible with change and surprises—without feeling like I was losing control.
- I let go of the exhausting need to prove my worth through overachievement and embraced self-compassion instead.
Living with chronic migraines also taught me that I can’t control everything—but I can learn to listen to my body, set boundaries, and give myself the same compassion I offer others. Many of my clients with chronic pain or health conditions struggle with feeling like they have to “push through” no matter what. Together, we work on releasing self-blame, honoring what their body needs, and finding a balance that allows them to thrive—even on the hard days.
These are the same shifts I help my clients make every day.
Healing isn’t about becoming someone else—it’s about becoming more of who you truly are, without the weight of anxiety, trauma, or self-doubt holding you back.
Navigating Grief and Major Life Changes
I’ve also experienced profound grief, losing both of my parents and other loved ones in my family. I understand how loss reshapes you—how it can leave you feeling untethered, searching for solid ground.
These experiences allow me to meet my clients exactly where they are—with deep empathy, patience, and an understanding that healing is not linear.
I Also Understand the Weight of Chronic illness
I know what it’s like to live with chronic pain and navigate the ups and downs of health struggles. As someone who has dealt with chronic migraines—and as a caregiver to family members with autoimmune and other chronic illnesses—I understand the emotional and physical toll it takes.
It’s exhausting to constantly push through while others may not fully understand what you’re going through. The unpredictability, the fear of “falling behind,” and the pressure to keep up with life can feel overwhelming. That’s why I’m passionate about helping people with chronic pain and health conditions manage the emotional impact of their struggles—so they can find balance, self-compassion, and relief.
Why I Chose This Work
My path to becoming a therapist wasn’t just professional—it was personal.
When a family member was struggling with depression, I felt deeply worried and scared for their wellbeing. It wasn’t the first time I had faced something like this—several years earlier, a close family member attempted to end their life.That experience left a lasting impact, making me realize how isolating and overwhelming it can feel to watch someone you love suffer.
This experience also taught me something profound: when someone you love is struggling, it’s easy to feel helpless—and just as easy to overextend yourself trying to “fix” things.
I remember that pull to do everything in my power to help, to take on responsibilities that weren’t mine, to carry the emotional weight for them. But over time, I learned that supporting someone doesn’t mean losing yourself in the process.
Now, as a therapist, I help others navigate this delicate balance—whether they’re struggling with their own mental health, processing long-buried trauma, or carrying the invisible burden of grief and caregiving.
My Training and Approach
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the State of New York, providing online therapy for clients in New York, New Jersey, and Chicago, Illinois.
I earned my Master of Social Work from New York University, Silver School of Social Work and hold an MBA in Marketing from Fordham University’s Graduate School of Business—a background that gives me unique insight into the pressures high achievers face.
To deepen my clinical expertise, I’ve pursued extensive training, including:
✔ Postgraduate Certificate in Psychoanalytic Therapy – Training Institute for Mental Health
✔ Certificate in Advanced Clinical Training – New York University
✔ Certificate in Financial Social Work – Center for Financial Social Work
I also hold specialized training in EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a highly effective approach for processing trauma, reducing distress, and helping clients move forward with confidence.
My approach is integrative, meaning I tailor therapy to your unique needs—whether that’s deep psychoanalytic work, trauma processing, or practical strategies for reducing stress and finding balance.
Life Outside the Therapy Room
Therapy is about finding balance, and I believe in practicing what I encourage my clients to do—prioritizing self-care in a way that feels nourishing, not like another obligation.
Outside the office, I love spending time with my husband and family, playing board and card games, reading, and watching movies. I find that laughter, creativity, and connection are just as important to healing as the deep work we do in therapy.
I also practice meditation, restorative yoga, and occasionally take art classes—activities that help me slow down, stay present, and recharge.
I’m passionate about continuous learning and deepening my understanding of how people heal. That’s why I’m currently pursuing a Certificate in Psychoanalysis, further expanding my ability to support clients in meaningful, lasting ways.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
If any part of my story resonates with you, I want you to know—you don’t have to navigate this alone.
I offer online therapy for clients in New York, New Jersey, and Chicago, Illinois. If you’re ready to take the next step, I’d love to support you.
👉 Schedule a free consultation today and let’s explore how we can work together.