My Story

Originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, I attended Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, for an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Japanese Studies. I was drawn to the cultural diversity and  openness of the Clark community. Clark is internationally known for psychology and I was able to publish a book chapter. I graduated from Clark with the Fiat Lux Honor Society Award for academic excellence, leadership, and sustained commitment to community service.

I continued my education at Pacific Graduate School of Psychology in Palo Alto, California, and graduated with a Ph.D. in 2003. During my time there, I conducted assessments and psychotherapy at the Gronowski Center, Santa Clara Medical Center, and Palo Alto VA. My clinical work was with outpatients, psychiatric inpatients, and veterans. My APA accredited internship was at Tewksbury State Hospital in Massachusetts, and I did a two year post-doc at Advanced Physical Medicine & Rehab, a multidisciplinary pain clinic north of Chicago. 

In 2006, I began working in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Many people are not aware that SNFs take care of individuals with problems beyond dementia and age-related decline. The age range for my clients was from 20 to 104 years old. SNFs also have short-term rehab units that address recovery from major medical events such as strokes, accidents, or psychiatric emergencies. I provided individual, couples, and family treatment, as well as neurocognitive assessments. I often addressed difficult behaviors and provided training on dementia, personality disorders, substance use, and trauma. In addition, I was the New England Director of Clinical Operations for a national psychiatric company and managed the work of over 45 psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, and nurse practitioners.