I am a fourth year doctoral student at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology (ISPP) in Chicago, Illinois.  I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Andrews University and will be receiving my Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from ISPP in June of this year.  I am currently in the process of writing my doctoral dissertation (clinical research project), which is evaluating the relationship between suicidality and religiosity among sexual minority males.  I will begin my pre-doctoral internship this summer and graduate with my PsyD (Doctor of Clinical Psychology) in the fall of next year.

My clinical training and experience has included work with children, adolescents and adults.  During my diagnostic externship I worked primarily with low-income children and adolescents at an inpatient psychiatric hospital whose presenting problems ranged from depression and anxiety to conduct disorder and post traumatic stress disorder.  I also facilitated psychotherapy groups with inpatient adults.  During my therapy externship I provided services at a community mental health facility that focused primarily on working with abused and neglected children and their families.  A significant amount of my work was providing individual therapy to adolescents and adults who were referred for anger management and/or domestic violence treatment.  I also provided generalist services for clients presenting with mood disorders, psychotic disorders and personality disorders.

My therapeutic approach is guided by a person-centered/Rogerian philosophy that places considerable value on the autonomy of the individual and his/her inherent potential for growth and resilience.  Integrated into this approach is an understanding of and appreciation for psychodynamic and interpersonal theories.  I also find it helpful to incorporate cognitive-behavioral interventions for clients experiencing acute states of distress and discomfort.  In addition, I have a particular passion for group work and have received specific training and experience in the following group therapy models: Tavistock, Yalom Interpersonal Process, and Rogerien Encounter Groups.



"No one - not the dying, not the outcast, not the mighty - transcends the need for human contact."

Irvin D. Yalom

"Mental toughness is the strength to know yourself, to know your own truth, and to put that forth even when others tell you you're wrong."

Unknown

"The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I change."

Carl R. Rogers