About Me (he, him, his)
I'm a Clinical Psychologist with 14 years' experience providing psychotherapy as well as teaching and training future psychologists. The work of psychotherapy spoke to me because I wanted to engage with people in a healing process that's compassionate and human but grounded in the rigor of Clinical Psychology. I also wanted to honor my commitment to the holistic well being of all members of the LGBTQ+ communities in service of their mental health needs. I've found both by training in LGBT community mental health which informed my work with diverse student bodies in university counseling centers nationally. In these settings, I've trained and taught future psychologists first as Clinical Psychology Training Coordinator at Illinois Tech's Health Center and then as Assistant Professor and Associate Director of Training in a doctoral psychology program at in Chicago, IL.
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I'm also committed to service in the field of Psychology, having volunteered in leadership roles in state and national guilds that oversee training, education, and legislation. I've presented nationally on topics such as gay men's humor, career development and phase of life concerns, and an intersectional and contextual approach to treatment (i.e. the need to consider the interaction between multiple identities within all of us such as sexual orientation, gender identity, race, immigrant status, etc). I've been in independent practice full time since 2017. My patients come from all backgrounds. They are working and professional class. They are businesspeople, health care professionals, artists, musicians, and activists and are from all races and ethnicities. What they have in common is a desire for deep self-knowledge in service of commitment to lifelong personal growth . View my CV
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​​​​​My Approach
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As humans, we have inherent needs that drive us to grow, connect with others, experience joy, and seek inspiration while also ensuring our safety and emotional well-being. Achieving this delicate balance is no easy feat. When we successfully navigate these needs, we find a sense of harmony between our internal desires and the demands of the world around us. One indicator of this balance is our natural inclination to seek out novel experiences and meaningful connections, which brings us pleasure and a positive outlook on life, ultimately leading to feelings of contentment and peace.​​
However, when life doesn't align with our desires, we can feel overwhelmed by a mixture of painful emotions and external pressures, such as anxiety, sadness, or dissatisfaction. This can lead us to retreat inward, feeling sidelined and trapped. These struggles may stem from various sources, including our upbringing, recent events in our personal or professional lives, or broader societal issues.
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During such challenging times, many individuals turn to psychotherapy for assistance. Psychotherapy offers a supportive environment where people can address their concerns with a trained professional solely dedicated to their well-being and growth. Through therapy, individuals can explore and tackle their most pressing issues and needs with guidance and self-advocacy. Additionally, therapy focuses on fostering insight and developing skills that empower individuals to navigate life's challenges independently in the long term. The goals set in therapy are tailored to align with the your values, serving as a framework for personal growth and transformation. Ideally, therapy concludes with individuals feeling validated, empowered, and more connected to themselves and the world around them, paving the way for a more fulfilling and expansive life journey.
Practice Focus Areas
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• LGBTQ+ concerns
• Intersectionality & Intersecting Identities
• Children of narcissists
• Relationship concerns
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Purpose and Fulfillment
• Work and Career Concerns
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Education and Training
• Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis,
Postdoctoral Certificate in
Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy//2012
• Fellowship:Princeton University//2010
• Fellowship:University of Illinois//2009
• Doctor of Psychology (PsyD):
Illinois School of Professional
Psychology//2009
• Howard Brown Health Center//2007
• Berklee College of Music//2002​
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Credentials
• Licensed Clinical Psychologist,
State of Illinois #071.008031
• National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology #71204
• PSYPACT authority to practice in
participating states #5774
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