Work in fields such as humanitarian aid, journalism, crisis response, diplomacy, and peace & security can be deeply purposeful and fulfilling. At the same time, these roles often involve chronic exposure to high-stress environments, unpredictability, and trauma—placing individuals at greater risk for PTSD, anxiety, depression, and burnout than the general population.

 

Over the course of my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work in various parts of the world where conflict, displacement, and instability were part of daily life. While interning with a journalist in Nepal, I experienced the tension and uncertainty of an attempted Maoist coup. At the Lebanese-Syrian border, I provided psychological support to Syrian refugees during a period of U.S. airstrikes targeting chemical weapon sites. I spent several years as a crisis worker supporting survivors of sexual assault, and separately worked extensively in Chicago communities impacted by high levels of violence.

 

These experiences have left a lasting impression—not just professionally, but personally. They deepened my understanding of trauma, resilience, and the often-invisible emotional toll that comes with working in high-risk, high-adrenaline environments. More importantly, they revealed a gap: while many professionals in these roles are highly trained to care for others, they often lack access to the kind of mental health care that meets their own complex needs.

 

This is what drives my commitment to providing trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and individualized mental health care for people working on the front lines. The impact of this work doesn’t end when the job is over; it accumulates over time. And while strong personal relationships can offer support, the depth and intensity of these experiences often require a level of understanding that only comes through both clinical expertise and shared perspective.

 

My goal is to create a therapeutic space where those who care for others—often in extreme or unseen circumstances—can feel held, heard, and supported in their own healing and growth.