ABOUT US

In my professional journey, I've navigated a diverse career path that started at Johns Hopkins in the Department of Mental Health when I was 19. This early exposure ignited my love for mental health and helping others. Although I began as an administrative professional, my journey took me through higher education, where I encountered racial trauma within the workplace. These experiences unveiled the challenges faced by young, intelligent Black women in corporate America, motivating me to redirect my career towards counseling and serving others.

Witnessing the transformative potential of recognizing inner strength and embracing vulnerability during my time in administration, I integrated these principles into my therapeutic practice. This realization served as a guiding force, shaping my commitment to empowering individuals by acknowledging and leveraging their inherent strengths.

As a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with a Master of Science in Counseling, I focus on therapy with individuals, specifically BIPOC girls and women, leveraging strength-based approaches, solution-focused approaches, positive psychology and cognitive behavioral therapy.

My personal journey has been full of challenges and triumphs. As a child growing up, I dealt with trauma that I held well until my 20s. And in my teens, I became aware that several women close to me were dealing with mental health concerns. Originally, I wanted to be a pediatrician, however, that changed when I took a psychology class in college in 2008: my whole world was opened to the possibility of helping those closest to me. I knew I’d found my purpose, to help others through psychology and mental health. 

In 2019, the premature arrival of my daughter unfolded a new chapter of uncertainty and vulnerability. This experience compelled me to navigate the complexities of premature birth, revealing the fragility of life and prompting an exploration of inner strength that I had yet to fully comprehend. Shortly after, a mini stroke highlighted life's unpredictability and the need to appreciate the preciousness of each moment. Then amidst these challenges, a diagnosis of cervical cancer demanded even greater physical resilience and emotional fortitude than ever. These experiences became a true test and testament to my resilience and inner strength

From these pivotal moments, I was more determined than ever to help women just like me – those that have been through challenges and triumphs, and haven’t given up on their purpose and identity. It is my great honor to support these women in finding a renewed sense of self, personal power, joy and resilience through the therapeutic process. 

I am most passionate about empowering Black women and girls and helping them to recognize and build upon their unique strengths, resilience, and capabilities. 

I love helping clients to be able to see their mental health from a holistic approach, which serves to break down the stigma that is associated with mental health. For example, if a client has to take medication, they may feel like they are a failure. However, I like to support them through understanding what the medication can do to give them a better quality of life. 

I am passionate about being a positive representation and role model as a Black woman, mother, and wife. I am also passionate about contributing to my community and giving of myself in a way that is positive and impacts the collective. I am passionate about educating my clients on mental health and supporting their personal growth and resilience.

As a therapist, my approach is deeply rooted in kindness, authenticity, and empathy. I believe in the power of collaboration and strive to create a supportive environment where individuals feel heard and valued. With a background in positive psychology and cognitive-behavioral therapy, I am committed to guiding others towards healing and personal growth. My leadership skills and social intelligence enable me to connect with clients on a deeper level, fostering trust and empowerment throughout their journey.

• Black and Brown women and girls
• Cultural competency counseling
• Identity development
• Trauma-informed care for adults and children
• Women’s mental health
• Empowerment and leadership coaching
• Intersectionality-informed therapy
• Career and professional development
• Educational and academic support
• Grief and loss counseling
• Mindfulness and wellness coaching
• Child and adolescent counseling
• Girls’ empowerment groups

• Cultural Affirmation worksheets
• Strength-based self-reflection journal prompts for women and girls
• Solution-focused goal setting
• Positive affirmation cards and mantras
• Strength-based storytelling
• Narrative therapy
• Strength-based career exploration
• Intersectionality worksheets
• Play therapy
• Identity exploration exercises
• Empowerment workshops

In high school, my dream was to become a child psychologist. However, when I began college, I found a stronger affinity for social work than psychology. Life took an unexpected turn when I became pregnant, leading me to pause my education. Entering the workforce, I encountered workplace trauma that eventually prompted me to reevaluate my path, again calling me back to social work and advocating for those in need.

Driven by this desire to make a meaningful impact, I returned to school full-time to pursue a career in social work. During my studies, I observed a significant need for medical social workers and discovered my passion for healthcare. Simultaneously, my personal life presented marital concerns, influencing my decision to focus on couples in therapy.

Balancing a full-time role in pediatric hospitals with part-time therapy work, I merged my love for social work and healthcare. These varied experiences, from early career aspirations to workplace challenges and personal struggles, have collectively shaped my journey. Today, as a medical social worker and couples therapist, I draw on these diverse encounters to guide and support others through their unique challenges.

As a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C) with a Master’s of Social Work, I specialize in therapy with individuals, particularly focusing on perinatal mental health, couples therapy, and pediatric medical social work. My expertise lies in utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy and strength-based approaches to support clients in navigating life's challenges and transitions. With a deep commitment to promoting mental wellness and fostering meaningful connections, I strive to empower individuals and couples to thrive in all aspects of their lives

Growing up with parents who faced challenges, I encountered obstacles that forced me to mature far beyond my years. Shaped and raised by a village, specifically my aunt and grandmother, who served as mother figures, I learned the importance of strength and compassion. Stepping into the role of ensuring the safety and well being of my younger brother and I at an early age, I shouldered responsibilities that most children never have to consider. 

These experiences ignited a deep-seated desire to help others facing similar struggles, setting the foundation for my lifelong journey in providing support and guidance to those in need.

As the years unfolded, life presented another formidable challenge in 2010 — a traumatic birth that left my daughter with a lifelong disability. Stranded in the emotional whirlwind of the NICU, my husband and I found ourselves navigating uncharted territory without the comforting presence of a social worker. In our early twenties, we grappled with the profound responsibility of raising a newborn with special needs while already parenting our 3-year-old daughter. These experiences instilled in me a deep sense of empathy and a fierce determination to support others facing adversity.

A year later, I stepped into the role of wife, only to realize that there was no handbook or set of tools to guide us through the intricacies of marriage with two young children. The absence of such resources became a catalyst for my journey into the field of social work.

With expertise in perinatal mental health, couples therapy, and pediatric medical social work, I am deeply committed to empowering individuals and couples to navigate life's transitions and challenges with resilience and grace. 

My passion lies in fostering authentic connections with my clients, creating a safe and supportive space where they can explore their innermost thoughts and emotions. I am dedicated to helping clients recognize their strengths, implement effective coping strategies, and embrace the journey towards healing and growth.

My therapeutic approach is founded on empathy, authenticity, and active listening. I believe in fostering collaboration and creating a safe space where clients feel understood and supported. From postpartum depression and birth trauma to communication barriers and intimacy issues, I utilize a range of therapeutic tools and interventions, including emotionally focused therapy, trauma-focused CBT, and mindfulness-based techniques. 

My ultimate goal is to empower clients to see the potential for positive change within themselves and their relationships, guiding them towards a brighter and more fulfilling future.

• Perinatal mental health:
  • Postpartum depression and anxiety
  • Grief and loss
  • Traumatic pregnancy or neonatal experiences
  • Birth trauma
• Couples therapy:
  • Relationship transitions
  • Communication barriers
  • Issues with intimacy and sexuality
  • Parenting strategies.
• General specializations:
  • Cultural competency
  • Mindfulness-based interventions
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration
  • Educational support

• Perinatal mental health screening
• Relationship assessments
• Emotionally focused therapy
• Gottman methodology
• Narrative therapy
• Active listening techniques
• Effective communication strategies
• Trauma-focused CBT
• Care coordination
• Reading materials
• Workbooks