I am a Los Angeles-based psychologist and award-winning author who works with people on a wide array of issues, including: anxiety, depression, grief, loss, family building, relationship challenges, and identity development. I specialize my practice in reproductive and maternal mental health, which means I primarily work with women who are contemplating or struggling with pregnancy, pregnancy and infant loss, pregnancy after loss, pregnancy ambivalence, during transitions in motherhood, prenatal and postpartum adjustments, birth trauma, perinatal and postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, and in the midst of relationship challenges after the birth or loss of a child.

My clinical training was rigorous — preparing me for this heartfelt, vital work. I earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, a master’s degree in human development, as well as a master’s degree in public health. I’ve married all of my educational pursuits in my clinical practice, research and writing. 

I had the opportunity to study directly with Dr. Carol Gilligan, author of In a Different Voice and the forerunner in the field of moral development as it relates to girls and women. I did my clinical internship at The Maple Counseling Center and my pre-doctoral and post-doctoral training at The Wright Institute. I also worked in an intensive out-patient eating disorders program throughout. During my training years, I completed a mindfulness based stress reduction course with Jon Kabat-Zinn and was part of an ongoing interpersonal neurobiology study group led by Dr. Dan Siegel. In addition, I completed a year-long certificate program at the Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis. With a focus on pregnancy and motherhood, I became certified in the treatment of perinatal/postpartum mood and anxiety disorders through Postpartum Support International and receive ongoing training in this field. I’m currently on the community advisory board doing research on miscarriage in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Stanford University School of Medicine.

From my work in public health in Africa, India, Nepal, across Europe and the United States as well as fellowships at Harvard University, through Columbia University in the Netherlands, and Israel, I have extensively studied human development and reproductive global health concerns and perinatal psychology from a multitude of perspectives. During my studies at New York University and Harvard University, I researched reproductive health issues which has informed my clinical work in a meaningful way.