Credentials & Licensure
I hold a doctorate in Learning Sciences, a master’s in counseling psychology, and an MBA. I am also a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Michigan.
My professional background brings together counseling psychology, learning science, educational psychology, and organizational strategy. I draw on established psychological approaches, behavioral science, instructional design, and learning principles such as scaffolding and the Zone of Proximal Development to better understand how people learn, regulate emotions, make decisions, and perform under pressure. These foundations inform my work across clinical counseling, coaching, and consultation.
Credentials:
• LPC: Licensed Professional Counselor (Michigan)
• NCC: National Certified Counselor
• Doctorate in Learning Sciences
• MSEd. in Counseling Psychology
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
• EMDR Certified Therapist - EMDRIA Approved
• Harvard Law School: Program on Negotiation (PON)
• Duke University: Program Certificate in Behavioral Economics & Behavioral Science
Clinical Training:
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) training - Beck Institute
• Motivational Interviewing training - University of Pittsburgh
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) - Emdria
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) training - Linehan Institute
Philosophy
I believe people function with greater stability when they understand their internal states, better define their values, regulate their reactions, and communicate clearly. Emotions convey information, and learning to recognize and interpret that information is essential. High demands and sustained pressure can expose vulnerabilities in these areas and contribute to breakdowns in judgment, communication, and relationships. Whether working with individuals or leaders, the ability to recognize stress, remain grounded, and respond with steadiness and intention matters. Dysregulated leaders can unintentionally spread that dysregulation throughout teams and organizations. My work focuses on strengthening these core capacities.
I use evidence-based psychological and behavioral principles to strengthen emotional regulation and communication. My approach begins with psychological safety and self-awareness, then draws from cognitive, behavioral, and solution-focused methods to understand patterns, challenge unhelpful responses, and reinforce more effective ones. The goal is greater emotional steadiness, clearer communication, stronger boundaries, and more consistent decision-making, particularly in environments where pressure is high and sound judgment matters.
Methods & Tools
- Applied Psychological and Educational Principles
Evidence-informed principles used to strengthen clarity, emotional regulation, decision-making, and behavioral stability. - Values and Human Development
Values exploration and developmental understanding used to clarify identity, direction, and consistent action. - Learning Science and Skill Development
Scaffolding and Zone of Proximal Development applied to progressive learning, skill acquisition, and adaptive growth. - Instructional Design
Structured learning processes, including the ADDIE Model, used to translate complex information into clear and applicable skills. - Behavioral and Systems Thinking
Behavioral and Systems frameworks used to examine interaction patterns, decision pathways, and organizational dynamics. - Communication and Relational Processes
Practical methods used to reduce conflict, clarify expectations, improve feedback, and strengthen relational functioning.
Background
My early life included significant adversity, including trauma, emotional and physical abuse, bullying, sexual assault, leaving high school, and a period of homelessness. These experiences shaped my interest in human behavior, emotional regulation, and resilience. They also taught me that our circumstances can influence who we become without necessarily defining what we're capable of achieving.
Through persistence, discipline, and a commitment to learning, I earned a degree in EMT-Paramedic studies, graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree, and went on to earn an MBA, a master's degree in counseling psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and a doctorate. My educational journey reflects a belief in personal growth, adaptability, and the capacity for meaningful change.
My professional experience includes establishing Miletus Properties, LLC, a real estate investment and management company, and founding The Children's Body-Image Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. These experiences strengthened my understanding of leadership, organizational dynamics, communication, and the challenges of building and sustaining a business.
Martial arts have also played an important role in my personal growth, helping me build confidence, recover from trauma, and develop greater self-awareness and emotional regulation. After 12 years of training, I earned my Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Relson Gracie in 2008. I also earned my Black Belt in Judo in 2012, following five years of training, and continue to enjoy boxing and Muay Thai. These disciplines have taught me the importance of humility, adaptability, perseverance, and remaining composed in challenging situations. They've also deepened my appreciation for mindful movement and the connection between physical awareness, emotional regulation, and psychological well-being.
These experiences influence how I approach psychotherapy, coaching, and consultation. I've learned that understanding people requires looking beyond their immediate behavior to consider their experiences, relationships, and circumstances. My approach draws on lived experience, advanced education, clinical training, and an appreciation for the complexity of human behavior. I help people better understand themselves, strengthen emotional regulation, improve communication, navigate challenges, and make meaningful changes that reflect their values.
