I am an LMSW specializing in play therapy, somatic approaches, and expressive arts therapies to working with trauma and mental health. I have an extensive background, before becoming a therapist, in yoga, meditation, bodywork, and group facilitation with adults and children.
I am currently employed at Baltimore Annapolis Center for integrative healing as a trauma therapist, and as a play therapist at District Heights Youth Service Bureau (a sliding-scale, community based mental health organization). I love using evidence based approaches in creative and playful ways to help individuals and families experience a greater sense of wholeness.
I specialize in body-focused (somatic) modalities for healing trauma, working with mental health issues, and improving quality of life. I am also training in EMDR, Psychedelic integration, Nature-based therapy, and Internal Family Systems. I love working with LGBTQIA+ individuals, I have a harm-reduction approach to substance use, and I am friendly to working with those who are polyamorous and in other non-traditional relationships and lifestyles.
I have also worked at College Park Youth and Family Services as a family therapist working with all ages, and at The Lourie Center for Children’s Social Emotional Wellness focusing on attachment therapies. In each of these placements, I received in-depth training in Family Therapy, Child Centered Play Therapy, Sand Therapy, Filial Therapy, Relationship-Enhancement Therapy, Theraplay, and other attachment-based therapies.
I am also pleased to bring years of experience in international relief and development, social justice advocacy, intimate partner violence, conflict resolution, and early childhood education to my career as a social worker/therapist. I have a Master’s Degree in Intercultural Studies, years of working cross-culturally, and ten years of experience as a yoga and meditation facilitator. I continue to run a small business providing retreat experiences for wellness and spiritual development.
My areas of interest include: Somatic Approaches to Trauma; Play Therapy for Children and Adults; Expressive Arts Therapy; Gender-Based Violence; Mindfulness and Mental Health; Yoga Therapy; Psychedelic Integration for PTSD and Substance Use Disorders; Harm Reduction approaches to SUD; Transformative Justice and Conflict Resolution; Arab-American and Palestinian Refugee Issues; Culturally Conscious Therapeutic Approaches
