In 2007 while attending Rutgers University studying exercise science I obtained what I thought was going to be a temporary position as a "youth counselor" during summer break; Little did I know that I had stumbled upon a job that ended up causing me to change my major/career trajectory as well as become my first of many jobs working in the field of social work. I was employed at Brahma House as a senior youth counselor which was a group home for displaced youth ages 12-18. Here is where I fell in love with the field of social work and knew I had found my true passion. I graduated in 2010 with a bachelors in social work and continued working at Brahma House while I pursued my masters degree in social work-direct practice. During this time I also completed my clinical internship at Trinitas Regional Medical Center on the child/adolescent outpatient unit where I worked with children and families by providing individual, group, and family treatment services. While interning at Trinitas is where I first witnessed the power that art and play had in helping young people express themselves, heal, and accomplish their goals. 

 

In 2012 I graduated with my MSW (masters degree in clinical social work) and secured a job working at Kid Connection, a program that provided in-home therapeutic treatment services for children and families that were involved with the Department of Child Protection and Permanency. Here, equipped with a very large tote bag filled with art supplies and games, I provided clinical care, advocacy, and case management service for my clients who were working on varying permanency goals including: reunification, stabilization, or adoption. Grant funding was not renewed and my program was dissolved in 2013 at which time I began working for Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care (formerly UMDNJ) as a crisis clinician in the psychiatric emergency room/designated screening center for Middlesex County. I provided emergency level of care assessments to clients of all ages but primarily specialized in child/adolescent evaluations. I also facilitated community outreaches to help support clients suffering from behavioral health challenges in Middlesex County who were unable to facilitate managing their care by reason of mental illness. I worked directly with the Child/Adolescent Psychiatrist and Child/Adolescent Psychiatry Fellow to manage and coordinate care for the Rutgers UBHC-Rapid Response Program which offered emergency medication implementation and monitoring for children and adolescents in need of medication management who were unable to obtain services elsewhere due to extensive waiting lists or being under/uninsured.

 

In 2016 I transitioned to the Rutgers Child Therapeutic Day School where I worked as a mental health clinician with children who experienced severe behavioral challenges. At this out-of-district placement I provided group, individual, and family treatment to students and their families. In 2016 I established my LLC and began functioning part-time as a private practitioner as an independent contractor at a wellness center. In 2017 I was employed at the Hackensack University Medical Center-Wellness center where I functioned as the child/adolescent specialist on the outpatient unit. I branched off independently in 2018 to establish my own practice where I am completely thrilled to be able to provide quality care to my clients! I love what I do and consider it a privilege to be able to help people as a profession.

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