I am a New York University-trained therapist who helps adult and teen individuals, couples, and families explore their wants and needs, the underlying influences of past experiences and relationships, and the obstacles standing in the way of meaningful change. Before becoming a therapist, I worked for over a decade as a photographer. Specializing in portraiture, my success as a photographer relied on my connection with the subject, who is in a vulnerable position that requires trust. This experience continues to inform my clinical practice because therapy asks for even more vulnerability from patients. More than a particular therapeutic approach or skill set, my ability to build a strong, collaborative relationship with individuals, couples, and families is what makes for the most successful therapy. Through this connection, I support individuals, couples, and families to be curious about how their past and present, as well as the environment around them, inform their current struggles, behaviors, and beliefs in order to grow.
I have previously helped individuals dealing with depression, anxiety, substance use, PTSD, sexual trauma, and relationship issues. I am particularly passionate about making therapy a more normalized and desirable experience for other men, who are often taught to compartmentalize their suffering after experiencing ridicule as children and young adults. I also previously served as a house manager and program facilitator in a sober living house serving high-profile, high-risk residents. This environment gave me an appreciation for the importance of creating opportunities for people to fully feel and express their fears, doubts, uncertainty, confusion, sadness, and anger. While a natural inclination may be to alleviate these uncomfortable feelings instantly, I help individuals face their emotional distress without relying on defenses that may have helped them in the past but are no longer working. I am also not afraid to, without judgment, challenge beliefs, assumptions, and conclusions to see how these influence and inform a person’s challenges.
I have provided couples therapy to straight couples, LGBTQ+ couples, monogamous couples, and ethically non-monogamous couples navigating their own boundaries within and outside of their primary relationship. While no two couples are alike, many arrive at couples therapy due to a rupture in the relationship or difficulty navigating persistent issues. With partners often lacking the communication skills to confront these conflicts on their own, I guide these conversations in a controlled setting while incorporating new skills. Rather than seeking to eliminate disagreements, I help partners shift their dynamic from one partner versus the other to the couple as a team versus the obstacle. Couples therapy is deeply rewarding but can be demanding and uncomfortable. While I’m motivated by seeing relationships strengthen, I also support couples to decide for themselves if a relationship can or cannot be resolved.
When working with teens, I see adolescence as a pivotal time as teens start to examine larger existential and philosophical questions about their lives and sense of purpose. Teens also paradoxically have a deep desire for independence and still need guidance. I encourage teens to draw from my expertise and insights while also respecting and embracing their unique individuality as they grow. Although parents or guardians may have initiated therapy and pinpointed issues to address, I establish with teens why they are in treatment, how they feel about it, and what they want to get out of it from their perspective. Therapy works best when teens are invested and understand their experiences, perspectives, and goals are of concern, especially at the beginning of treatment, when some teens can be closed off.
pronouns: he/him (why I list my pronouns)