About Me
Professional Experience
Before pivoting to the mental health sector, I had an eight-year saga in film production. It was exciting work but not sustainable; I was burning out. The impending burnout led me to a transformative journey in 2016. I charted a new course: to help others heal. I started with an online peer support social venture and decided to enrich my expertise by pursuing a Master's in Social Work at Tulane University.
At Tulane, I joined the CI+ Changemaker Institute accelerator program, a hub for social innovation. After graduation, I moved on to Bridge House / Grace House, a nonprofit focusing on addiction recovery. There, I identified gaps in the service offerings and created new programs to fill them.
My next career way point was Quartet Health, a startup where I served as the behavioral health network manager. At Quartet, I was at the intersection of patient and provider experience, focusing especially on underserved communities. Additionally, I built and co-piloted an employee resource group for people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and mental health conditions, like a workplace version of Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters.
In 2020, sensing that my energy reserves were draining once again (hello, burnout my old friend), I decided to hang my own shingle as an private practice consultant and therapist. Now, I collaborate with a diverse array of clients, from individual adults to larger organizations, but my mission remains constant: to help others on their path toward meaningful change and sustainable well-being.
Licenses
I am currently licensed to independently practice social work in Louisiana and Michigan. Please see below for details about my licenses.
Louisiana: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) - #14677
Michigan: Licensed Master Social Worker, Clinical (LMSW-Clinical) - #6801108349
Education
Master of Social Work, Tulane University
Bachelor of Arts in History, University of San Diego
Personal Experience
While my affinity for a good, cozy sweater may portray me like a stuffy, blank-faced academic, my journey in mental health consulting and therapy is deeply rooted in personal experience, not just textbook knowledge.
From a young age, I navigated the challenges of being neurodivergent. My youth was marked by earnest efforts to understand and adapt, in one-size-fits all educational and mental health care systems. This led me to both therapy and psychiatry. Despite these hurdles, like many in the neurodivergent community, I achieved significant academic milestones, even when faced with added complexities like being diagnosed with hearing loss in high school.
A significant chapter of my life was also shaped by struggles with substance use, a journey that taught me about resilience, redemption, and recovery. I am now nine years into my recovery journey.
A Note on My Approach to Substance Use: My personal experiences have enriched my empathy and understanding. However, I firmly believe every individual's journey is unique and deserves individualized support. Whether you're on a path of abstinence or exploration, my aim is to support and respect your choices. Your path is yours; my role is to be a compassionate guide and ally.
Please see my My Approach page for more information about my clinical approach to drug and alcohol use.