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 support 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.

I have participated in trainings centered on neuroaffirming psychotherapeutic care; Dialectic Behavior Therapy (DBT); Developmental, Individual Differences, Relationship-based (DIR) Floortime; Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) Provider Training Level 1, amongst other relevant. I hold certifications as an ADHD Certified Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP) and Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS). These certifications highlight ADHD and Autistic voices and lived experiences to inform a neuroaffirming approach when supporting neurodivergent individuals.

In addition to my clinical work and continued education, I serve on the advisory board for the Bergen County chapter of CHADD and CHADD’s National Board of Directors. I’ve had the privilege of presenting at conferences and community events, offering insights grounded in lived experience, clinical expertise, and a commitment to neurodiversity-affirming practice. I remain dedicated to lifelong learning and continue to deepen my knowledge in service of the individuals and families I support.