I am just another woman diagnosed with ADHD much later in life.

When I was younger, I blamed both the hyperactivity and the inattention on anxiety. Being unfocused was justified by an upcoming test. Racing thoughts clouded my mind, causing me to misplace just about everything. I got in trouble for tapping under my desk because… well… I’m a tap dancer. An anxious tap dancer.

What is attachment trauma, and how does it often show up in adult relationships?

“Attachment trauma occurs in early childhood when our fundamental needs are unmet or inconsistently met. It manifests in adult relationships as a fear of abandonment, rejection, or being alone, feeling overwhelmed by our partner's emotional needs, or distrusting healthy love when it is presented.”

What made you passionate about specializing in mental health for women and girls?
"I feel a deep sense of connection and community with other women by virtue of our shared experiences. Even though I work with women from all walks of life, who have experiences that differ from mine, there are certain things about which we have a shared understanding—something we don’t even need to speak to know it’s there. I’ve witnessed firsthand the amazing things women are capable of when we support and uplift each other, and I wanted my life’s work to reflect that."

What originally drew you to becoming a therapist?  

"This has always been one of my "fun facts" because of how far back my desire to be a therapist goes. I actually decided to become a therapist as a high school freshman - it all began in my art class with my childhood best friend. We both shared a love for art and decided to take this class together, and little did I know that our love for art was not the only thing that deepened. During this period this friend opened up to me about her upbringing, her struggle with her mental health and her home life. What I heard broke my heart and expanded it at the same time. I knew at 14 it was not common or recommended for me to hold space for something so intense, but what shocked both my guidance counselor and I was that the impact was nothing but positive. Having someone trust me with the most vulnerable parts of themself made me feel honored and fulfilled, not drained.”

How do you work to create a space where clients feel truly seen and safe?

“I aim to create a space where clients can bring their full selves, including the parts that feel clear and the parts that you don’t yet understand. I do this by listening without judgment, honoring boundaries, and moving at a pace that feels right for each person. Safety, to me, is built through trust, openness, and ongoing collaboration.”

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is often misunderstood as being about cleanliness or liking things labeled and arranged a certain way. In reality, OCD is defined by:

• Obsessions: intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges

• Compulsions: repetitive behaviors or mental acts (rituals) done to reduce anxiety caused by those thoughts

OCD has some common themes (harm, moral scrupulosity, contamination, sexual, false memory, just right, etc.), but it isn’t really about germs, morality, or safety. At its core, it’s about an intense intolerance of uncertainty.