she/her

DOCTORAL EXTERN, LEVEL 1

Serving Maryland, Virginia, DC & DELAWARE Clients

I am a doctoral extern, currently enrolled in the University of Maryland’s Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology. At Playful Therapy Connections, I am excited to offer both virtual therapy and in person testing, under the direct supervision of Dr. Jaclyn Halpern.

I have experience supporting clients across the lifespan through individual therapy, neuropsychological assessment, and crisis support. I draw from cognitive-behavioral, narrative, and attachment-based approaches, and I have a special interest in working with people healing from relational and interpersonal harm.

Before entering the mental health field, I worked in the tech industry as a designer and researcher, helping make digital tools more user-friendly. I still enjoy working with creative platforms like Figma and Photoshop, but I found myself wanting a career that felt more personally meaningful and aligned with my experiences supporting people in crisis through a national hotline. That pull toward deeper connection and purpose is what led me to the world of therapy.

What does my experience mean for you as my client?

I often hear questions like, “Do I really need therapy? Is something wrong with me?" and I think these questions come from a place of worry—that you have to be in crisis to ask for support, or that needing help means something is “wrong” with you.

I don’t see it that way.

Therapy can be helpful for so many reasons—whether you’re going through something hard, trying to understand yourself better, or simply want to feel more like yourself again.

My goal is to create a warm, grounded space where you can feel safe to explore your stories and relationships.

Also, having been diagnosed myself with ADHD as a kid, I have a deep understanding of both the strengths and vulnerabilities that come with being an ADHDr!

I take a narrative approach to therapy, which means I believe in the power of reflecting on your experiences, reauthoring your story, and having more say in how your life unfolds.

That’s not about being “crazy." It’s about reclaiming your voice.

• What’s your favorite color?

  • Turquoise!

• What’s your favorite show?

  • It’s hard to choose, but two of my favorite TV shows are Breaking Bad and Insecure.

• What’s your favorite movie?

  • My favorite movie might be Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind—I love what it says about forgiveness and repair.

• What’s your favorite video game?

  • I’m still pretty new to gaming, but I’ve been having fun learning! Lately I’ve been enjoying Elden Ring (even though it’s really hard!) and playing Uncooked with my best friend. We’re still working on getting our soup-making coordination down, but we’re getting there!

• Do you have any kids, pets or plants?

  • I have an older golden retriever who’s very sweet (and a little bit stubborn especially when it’s time to come inside). I also have a small jungle of houseplants that I’ve somehow managed to keep alive over the years. They seem to be more forgiving than I expected!

• Why did you decide to become a psychologist?

  • I decided to become a psychologist because I wanted a more meaningful and direct way to support people.

  • In my past career in tech, I often couldn’t see the impact of my work, and I found myself wanting something more personal and connection-driven.

  • I’ve also experienced the difference that therapy can make in someone’s life, and I wanted to be part of offering that kind of support to others. I feel really honored to hear and hold people’s stories and to walk alongside them as they grow.

Education

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD
Currently Enrolled: Ph.D., Clinical Psychology (anticipated Spring 2029)

CLEMSON UNIVERSITY, SC
B.A. Psychology (2022)

CLEMSON UNIVERSITY, SC
B.A. English, Minor in Business Administration (2015)

Clinical Experience

Neuropsychology Associates of Fairfax
Clinical Extern

UMBC Psychology Training, Research, and Services Center
Clinical Extern

RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
Hotline Support Volunteer

Graduate Research Assistant Positions

Gender-based Violence and Abuse Prevention Lab at UMBC, Baltimore, MD

Gig Work and Occupational Health Lab at Clemson University, Clemson, SC

The Behavioral Science Lab at Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA