ABOUT ME

I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP),

practicing privately in Berkshire, UK. 

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Qualifications

Masters Degree, Mental Health Counselling (2010 - 2012) Brooklyn College, New York

Bachelors Degree, Legal Studies w/ minor in Psychology & Sociology (2004-2008) Quinnipiac University, Connecticut

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Specialties

Anxiety Disorders

Depression

Stress Management

Chronic Disease Support (i.e.- Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis)

Adolescents

Women's Health

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Experience

In 2010 I began my training in Counselling after a few years of voluntary work with the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) in New York.  I enjoyed my volunteer roles in helping those affected by these chronic health issues, which often affected their mental health, so much so that I changed my career in law to psychology.

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My master's degree in Mental Health Counseling (MHC) has prepared me to work as a mental health counsellor within medical, community, and private practice settings. Through rigorous academic coursework and clinical internship training with over 600 hours involved, I learned to apply mental health approaches to contemporary practice, assessment, and treatment. The MHC Program at Brooklyn College provided in-depth exposure to three principal approaches to counselling: psychodynamic, experiential/humanistic, and cognitive-behavioural. In addition to the 600 hour internship I completed at an intensive psychiatric rehabilitation center for severely mentally ill adults,  I performed intake evaluations and psychotherapy at the College's counselling center as part of my training. 

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After completing my counselling degree and training,  I started working full time with the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America Headquarters in their IBD patient help center which was a National resource for patients and loved ones with these chronic inflammatory bowel diseases. I provided educational resources, support, and counselling to patients and their family.  In addition, I continued to volunteer in founding and facilitating a support group for teenage girls living with these diseases, amongst maintaining other voluntary commitments with the organisation. 

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Most recently before moving abroad to the UK in 2016, I was working at a Women’s Health center based in Brooklyn, New York. Here I provided individual longer term counselling to women and teenagers.   I worked with clients in better managing anxiety disorders, depression, chronic health concerns, stress, relationships, trauma, and career changes.  I also have experience running groups and workshops providing psycho-education on stress management and coping skills.

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After re-locating to England with my family, I have since been working privately providing mental health services to teens, young adults, and adults.  Post-pandemic, my practice is primarily online via video chat but will also meet clients for local walks in the Pangbourne area.  I practice with an integrative approach, always listening to the client, providing empathy, and creating a safe and confidential space for my clients to talk through their concerns.  I also often incorporate Cognitive Behavioural (CBT) therapy techniques in my practice, as this was one of the main focus areas of my masters degree.  I find incorporating CBT may help a client to better understand their current thoughts patterns and behaviours, and how there may be room for change towards a healthier mindset and plan of action.  

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It is important to have supports in place- whether it be friends or family, but the additional support of an unbiased, objective professional can be of great help too.  I do hope to hear from you if you feel you could benefit from counselling sessions.