I am a Physician Assistant with 7 years of post-graduate clinical experience working with patients across outpatient and inpatient mental health populations facing a variety of struggles ranging from depression, anxiety, mood disturbances, identity struggles, low self-esteem, and difficulties with finding meaningfulness in their lives. Through my experience providing psychotherapy and medication management in the medically ill inpatient population, I’ve also developed a keen understanding of a patient’s need for short-term, psychological interventions in addition to long-term, in-depth psychotherapy. 

I find that techniques like motivational interviewing and behavioral activation are powerful short-term solutions that can provide relief to immediately experienced symptoms. However, I’ve come to believe that most people are also in need of long-term ongoing therapy to deepen their understanding of themselves in order to resolve inner conflicts, improve their ability to communicate honestly in their relationships, build confidence, and make lasting change. I understand that your struggles are unique to you, and as such, I use an individualized, whole-person approach to treatment to meet your needs and guide you on your journey towards mental wellness.  

I apply my knowledge of psychopharmacology within this context and prescribe medications to target symptoms when needed in order to support the therapeutic process. 

As a Psychotherapist and Physician Assistant with LJS Psychiatry, I work closely with Dr. Loren Sobel who serves as my consultant and supervisor for all the patients that I treat.  Dr. Sobel is a psychiatrist and certified psychoanalyst who has been a leader in teaching psychoanalytic psychotherapy in the Pittsburgh area since he served as Chief Resident for Psychotherapy Education at Western Psychiatric Hospital in 2014.  Since then, Dr. Sobel has continued to play an influential role in the education of many psychoanalytic therapists in the region through his involvement with teaching psychiatry residents and post-graduate clinicians in the field.

In addition to my psychoanalytic approach to the work, I am informed through my mindfulness meditation practice and subscribe to the Buddhist values of compassion, gratitude, and moderation.