An Integrative Approach to Mental Wellness

My path to becoming a therapist has been anything but conventional. Before I answered a deeper calling to help others heal, I practiced as a trial attorney, defending the personal and civil rights of individuals. This experience, while seemingly disparate, instilled in me a profound understanding of human resilience and the systemic forces that can impact well-being.

Driven by a growing fascination with consciousness and the healing potential of entheogens, I embarked on a new chapter, earning my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Villanova University. My graduate studies and subsequent clinical training focused on the treatment of anxiety, depression, and complex trauma. I’ve had the privilege of working with diverse populations, including veterans navigating PTSD, college students facing the pressures of academia, and individuals grappling with the lasting effects of trauma, dissociation, grief, and loss. I’ve also provided support for those seeking integration after psychedelic experiences and those exploring psycho-spiritual issues.

From Courtroom to Therapy Couch: A Commitment to Integrative Healing

My diverse background informs my approach to therapy, which is deeply integrative and rooted in the belief that true healing comes from within. While I am well-versed in various therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapies (CBT), Exposure Therapies, and Mindfulness and Self-Compassion-Based Therapies, I primarily operate from the framework of Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy.

Having witnessed and personally experienced the transformative power of IFS, I’ve found it to be exceptionally effective in helping individuals connect with their inner wisdom and heal the “parts” that contribute to suffering. I also integrate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into my work, helping clients develop psychological flexibility and live in alignment with their values.

My interest in the therapeutic use of psychedelics stems from a deep conviction that these medicines, when used responsibly and within a supportive therapeutic framework, can catalyze profound healing. My book, The Psychedelic Self,  explores this very topic, highlighting the synergy between IFS, ACT, and psychedelic-assisted therapy, particularly with lower, psycholytic doses of medicine that facilitate deeper inner exploration when combined with IFS and/or ACT.