I learned at a young age that I wanted to help people through the tough times of their lives, having been through some of my own difficult experiences.
My goal is to help people manage their anxiety, obsessive–compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, insomnia, adjustment disorder, eating disorders, phobias, and chronic pain. In addition, I support people as they cope with stress related to life changes, such as a job transition or the birth of a child. I also work with them to identify behaviors that may be holding them back from reaching their potential and teach them how to make small changes that will have an impact on their lives.
Many people deal with mental health problems in silence because they are ashamed to seek treatment. But getting treated for a mental health problem is no different from getting treated for asthma or diabetes. Physical health and mental health are deeply connected.
I provide compassionate, evidence-based care. My main approach to treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy, which involves helping people to change the way they think about a problem and their behavior. I also treat people using acceptance and commitment therapy, in which a person learns to view hardship as part of life and to focus on values and goals. Exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy is another useful approach: it involves helping people face their fears.
It is rewarding when patients tell me that their symptoms have subsided and that they are back to living their lives. I enjoy having a positive impact on their quality of life.
As the digital mental health outcomes and wellness coordinator at NYU Langone, I work to provide greater access to mental health resources for employees and to track the progress of patients receiving mental health care over time. I frequently speak with various media outlets to increase public awareness of mental health and to break the stigma surrounding mental health conditions. I also have a podcast, Mind in View, which educates people about mental health.
I received the Martin P. Szuba Award for Excellence in Clinical Teaching and Research from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. As a clinical assistant professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, I love teaching students, residents, and therapists. I regularly give presentations about mental health conditions, including stress and burnout from the COVID-19 pandemic, and have been quoted in many publications, including The Philadelphia Inquirer, Parade, and The Washington Post.
