HELLO
I am a Harvard-trained licensed clinical psychologist (MA #11063), mindfulness teacher, and mind-body researcher. I help people reduce stress, clarify their values, and set and pursue goals in line with those values. Please contact me if you would like to see my complete CV.
MY APPROACH IS…
person-centered and collaborative
Therapy is based on your interests, needs, and strengths. We work together to set goals that are right for you.
relationship-focused
The therapeutic relationship is a key part of treatment. I emphasize active listening, open-ended questions, empathy, and warmth to help you feel heard, understood, and valued.
evidence-based
In addition to emphasizing a healing relationship, I use therapeutic techniques that have been shown to work in scientific studies. I consider the results of my own research and other’s research.
EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENTS
Training
I am extensively trained in several evidence-based treatments. These are short-term therapies that patients actively participate in to learn new coping skills. Rather than directly follow a pre-existing manual, I apply these treatments in a flexible way that is tailored to each person:
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Mind-body medicine
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Positive psychology
Motivational Interviewing
Areas of Speciality
As a Clinical Psychologist with specializations in Integrative Medicine and Behavioral Medicine, I am uniquely trained to use mindfulness approaches to help people struggling with stress and related problems. My expertise is in several areas:
Stress management and self-care
Anxiety disorders
Depression
Health anxiety
Coping with chronic medical conditions
Healthy lifestyle and health behavior change
Career stress (e.g., burnout, imposter syndrome)
Relationship stress and interpersonal skills
EDUCATION & TRAINING
I completed my undergrad at SUNY Albany as a first-generation college student. I earned my PhD in Psychology at the University of Cincinnati. I completed my Clinical Psychology Internship in Behavioral Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. I then completed an NIH-funded Research Fellowship in Integrative Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Now, I am an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and a Staff Psychologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Cambridge Health Alliance. I lead an active program of research funded by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH/NCCIH).
CREDENTIALS
I have worked for the past 10 years across a number of settings with diverse patients, clients, and students. I have had a personal meditation and yoga practice for the past 15 years, from which my work heavily draws. I have extensive formal training in mindfulness and mind-body interventions.
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
I have worked in many different clinical settings. I currently provide mindfulness-based group therapy for patients with emotional and physical health problems at the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind-Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, and the Center for Mindfulness and Compassion at Cambridge Health Alliance/Harvard Medical School.
RESEARCH
I lead an active program of research funded by the NCCIH which explores how to use mindfulness training to reduce stress and promote well-being. I have studied the benefits of mindfulness training for people with stress, anxiety, and depression; chronic medical conditions including cancer, asthma, and epilepsy; and for hospital employees and medical students. Now, I am Principal Investigator on two NIH-funded studies to explore how to deliver mindfulness training online to help people who have depression or fear of recurrence after a heart attack. I am also looking at the physical effects of mindfulness training on inflammation, blood pressure, sleep, and physical activity. My research has been published in over 60 scientific papers; presented over 100 times at national scientific conferences and 25 times at international scientific conferences; and discussed in news stories by NBC, The Atlantic, and VICE.
TEACHING
I enjoy opportunities to teach and mentor others. This includes:
Mindfulness lectures, workshops, and training courses for diverse audiences
Clinical supervision of psychology fellows
Research supervision of psychology fellows and research assistants
Mind-body intervention training for healthcare professionals
Instructor of record for undergraduate and graduate courses (e.g., Abnormal Psychology, Research Methods)
Career development workshops and career mentorship
Mind-Body Health and Healing Certificate Program
I serve as Adjunct Faculty for the Mind-Body Health and Healing Certificate Program at the MGH Institute for Health Professions. I also teach mindful stress management courses to employees and patients at the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at Brigham & Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School.
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