My love for the field of psychology began as a high school senior when I took AP Psychology. I entered Stanford University knowing that I wanted to major in Psychology, and aside from briefly considering a career in sports media, never looked back. I completed my BA in Psychology with departmental honors, distinction, and Phi Beta Kappa, followed by three years as a full-time research coordinator in the Stanford Mood and Anxiety Disorders Laboratory (now the Stanford Neurodevelopment, Affect, and Psychopathology Laboratory).

I then completed my MA and PhD at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in the UCLA Anxiety and Depression Research Center, a renowned laboratory for the study and treatment of anxiety disorders. While at UCLA, I obtained additional clinical training at the UCLA Psychology Clinic, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and UCLA Depression Grand Challenge Innovative Treatment Network, with a focus on diagnostic assessment and evidence-based therapies for anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, borderline personality disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). My years at Stanford and UCLA taught me the value of a clinical scientist mindset for the effective diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions. I seek to incorporate what we have learned from research into my clinical practice.

I completed my clinical internship (residency) in the Traumatic Stress Track at the Charleston Consortium, where I trained in clinics at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center. While on internship, I honed my expertise in the assessment and treatment of trauma, PTSD and women’s reproductive mental health. My experience as the mental health point-of-contact for two MUSC OB/GYN offices sparked my passion for women’s reproductive mental health and I particularly love working with this population in my practice.

Finally, I completed my research and clinical postdoctoral fellowship at the VA San Diego Healthcare System Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health and worked as a staff clinical psychologist with the VA San Diego Healthcare System before founding my practice. Much of my research while in graduate school and on fellowship focused on the consequences of early-life adversity. I have received local and national recognition for my clinical work, research and service.

In addition to my practice, I am an Editorial Board and Clinical Translation Board Member for Behaviour Research and Therapy, a leading peer-reviewed journal. I regularly provide didactic lectures for mental health trainees at a number of institutions and have taught an online course titled “Science-Based Strategies for Boosting Positive Emotions” through Stanford Continuing Studies. I am passionate about increasing diversity in the mental health workforce, and provide ongoing mentorship for clinical psychology trainees and students interested in the mental health field.

In my free time, you’ll find me cheering on my favorite sports teams, practicing yoga and barre, and going for walks on the beach with my family and rescue dog.