My Story
"In the early days, therapy and community were my lifelines. 🤝 Over time, they transformed into my life force..." Growing up, I was a fun-loving kid with a ton of hobbies who really made the most out of every day. The only problem was that I struggled horribly with paying attention in school and following the rules. I was much more interested in the amusement park of my mind and walking to the beat of my own drum than in reading, writing, and arithmetic. In truth, it had less to do with "interest" and more with how excruciatingly painful trying to do schoolwork was. If you have ever put your hand on a hot stove or been tased by a stun gun, then you know what school felt like for me. So, it comes as no surprise that I spent the majority of my time in detention, being asked why I was wasting my potential.
Unfortunately, I asked myself the same question. It wasn't until my teens that my amusement park mind morphed into a nightmarish inferno. One by one, my hobbies fell by the wayside. Unable to find refuge in my mind, I sought it in drugs, which led to legal troubles and heartbreak for those who cared about me. This went on for several years until the age of 20, when a series of events, including a trip to rehab, helped me to turn things around. Upon leaving rehab, my thoughts and emotions were still that nightmarish inferno. I had turned to drugs for a reason, and removing them after years of abuse was challenging. In those early days, therapy and community support were my lifelines. Over time, they became my life force. I went on to play music professionally, teach yoga, and earn two master's degrees and a doctorate in clinical psychology.
Now, my main career goal is to help modernize mental and emotional health treatments to better meet the needs of today.I spent the first half of my career in California, working in public rehabs with incarcerated individuals and luxury facilities for celebrities. There, I started a program that uses people's favorite music to help manage stress. I moved back to Cleveland during the pandemic and now provide individual therapy, run community classes, and give talks around town.
