Background

About Me

I began my journey supporting children as a young adult, working at an Empowered Learning Center in New Jersey. After graduating from Union College, cum laude, I became a substitute teacher at both mainstream and special education schools. This experience helped me realize my passion for helping others and inspired me to apply to graduate school for social work. 

I earned my Masters of Social Work (MSW) from Columbia University School of Social Work (CSSW) and had the unique opportunity to have three internships over the two years of schooling. I first interned at Yachad as a vocational counselor, where I supported Autistic young adults and individuals with intellectual disabilities in various workplace settings. Second, I interned at The Moriah School as a classroom assistant providing therapy and behavior interventions for children. Lastly, I interned at the Veterans Affairs Hospital on the Spinal Cord Injury Unit where I conducted psychosocial evaluations, coordinated discharges, created and ran a caregivers support group, and provided Teletherapy and in-person psychotherapy for veterans and their caregivers. 

During and after graduate school, I used my extensive background as an equestrian to become a PATH Certified horseback riding instructor for children with disabilities at Flying Manes.

I began working at YAI Center for Specialty Therapy in 2016 as a bilingual psychotherapist, where I had the privilege of supporting neurodivergent children, parents, and families, with a focus on autism and intellectual disabilities. In 2021, I transitioned from YAI to focus full-time on my private practice.

While working at YAI, I pursued an Advanced Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) at Hunter College, graduating in 2022. I want to acknowledge the valid and important concerns many in the autistic community hold about ABA, including its history of harm and attempts to suppress natural neurodivergent ways of being. Although the program deepened my understanding of behavior, I ultimately chose not to pursue BCBA certification. Instead, I integrate behavioral concepts through a neurodivergent-affirming lens—supporting clients in understanding the why behind behaviors without pathologizing or aiming to "fix" them.

In 2023, I completed trainings to become an ADHD Certified Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP) and Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS). Both of these certification trainings highlight ADHD and Autistic voices to inform a neuroaffirming approach when supporting neurodivergent individuals.

I have had the honor of speaking at conferences and community events, sharing insights rooted in lived experience, clinical practice, and neurodiversity-affirming care. I remain committed to ongoing learning and growth, continually deepening my knowledge to best support the individuals and families I work with.