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About Me

MY PHILOSOPHY

Clients quickly learn their pains are not a weakness, but a portal towards wisdom and growth. Though I take my clinical training very seriously, I believe the connection between you and me is essential for a successful therapeutic partnership. It is important to honor our lived experiences, and I make it my mission to learn and respect your unique life story.  

 

With my parents immigrating to the United States 2 months before my birth, I have walked the tight-rope of two cultures my entire life. I utilize cultural backgrounds as an important component when working with those who seek the therapeutic process under my care.

EXPERIENCE

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I’ve spent 12 years addressing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), complex trauma, emotion regulation, relationship concerns, life transitions, and other mental health concerns. I also have unique training & experience understanding the effects of forced migration, international armed-conflict, political unrest, military service, humanitarianism, and the impacts of structural racism

During my graduate studies at the University of Chicago, I began my clinical training under the direct mentorship of Dr. Paul Holmes, PsyD – A clinical psychologist and renowned expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Chronic Distress. Dr. Holmes is also the creator of Contextual-DBT (C-DBT). I then completed a three year post-masters fellowship under his direct supervision. Simultaneously, I received supervision from Jeff Levy, LCSW – an expert in treating PTSD. Currently, I continue to work directly with Dr. Holmes, and am directly involved in the development of C-DBT.

In 2018, I traveled to the Syrian-Lebanese border on a medical mission with the Syrian American Medical Society. In my role, I provided triage based mental health services to Syrian refugees and trainings to in-country mental health providers. I also acted as the primary psychological support for other medical providers.

I then spent 2 years working at Personal Evolution Psychotherapy. Within this role I provided individual therapy and comprehensive DBT & ACT services, as well as acted as primary family therapist within the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). I also played an integral role in the development of their mindfulness program, and training of clinicians on the implementation of mindfulness based practices in therapy.

  • Master’s of Clinical Social Work (2016) University of Chicago -   School of Social Service Administration.

       Concentration: Psychological Trauma

       & Mental Health

  • Master’s of Science, Conflict Management and Resolution (In Progress).  University of San Diego – Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies.

 

  • Bachelor’s of Arts, Psychology (2012) 

        University of California, Santa Barbara.

Education

Areas of Clinical Specialty

  • PTSD, Complex & Chronic Trauma

  • Vicarious Trauma

  • Sexual Trauma

  • Couples & Relationship Concerns

  • Interpersonal/Relational Difficulties

  • Mood Disorder

  • Emotion Regulation

  • Depression & Anxiety

  • Suicidality & Self-Harm

  • Compassion Fatigue & Burn-Out

  • Military Personel and their families

  • Front-Line, Humanitarian, & Crisis Workers

  • Forced Migration & Displacement

  • Difficulties with finding meaning & purpose

  • Intimacy and difficulties with closeness/bonding

  • Personality Disorders 

Licensure

  

  • California Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW# 97915)

  • Illinois Licensed Social Worker               (LSW# 150.102015) (Currently Inactive)

Previously Held Positions

Lecturer – University of Chicago, Masters of Social Work Department

 

Dialectical Behavior Therapy Outpatient Clinics 

 

Intensive Outpatient Program – Primary Family Therapist

 

Multiple Rape Crisis Centers 

 

Emergency Domestic Violence Shelters 

Syrian Refugee Camps (Lebanon)

 

Humanitarian Relief Organization Co-Founder

 

Community Mental Health Clinic 

 

Homelessness and Chronic Mental Health Outpatient Services

 

Therapeutic School Bridge Program 

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