In college, I developed an interest in non-Western medicine and psychology. During a trip to Mexico to study Spanish, I embarked on a lifelong journey of self-discovery and a career as an eclectic psychotherapist. In Mexico, I was introduced to Eastern philosophy and the Mexican Shamanic traditions of healing. Traveling through towns, and jungle villages, I observed native healing traditions and experienced shamanic rituals and treatments—experiences that profoundly shaped me.

Inspired by my travels, I returned to the Residential College at the University of Michigan and designed an independent course of study in Medical Anthropology and Psychology. I also apprenticed one summer with the late Keewaydinoquay, an Anishinaabeg mashkikwe (Ojibwe plant medicine woman) on Garden Island in Northern Lake Michigan. This rich experience broadened my perspective on mental health to be both eclectic and integrative.

After earning my bachelor’s degree, I pursued a masters degree at the University of Chicago. I began my career as a clinical social worker, serving severely emotionally disturbed children in residential facilities, eventually working as a therapist and assistant to the director at the Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School. I later sought analytic training at the Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis and the C.G. Jung Institute of Chicago. My work focuses on helping patients understand and integrate unconscious material through dreams, memories, creative work, and reflection.

I have also held a deep interest in astrology. It’s archetypal nature has helped me to understand the complexities of the unconscious and how it speaks to us through a profound symbolic language. Astrology has taught me to understand the natural cycles that occur in our lives. As Carl Jung said, “Astrology is assured of recognition from psychology … because astrology represents the summation of all the psychological knowledge of antiquity.”

Committed to social justice, I have extensive experience treating post-traumatic stress disorder and have worked as an expert witness evaluating asylum seekers in the U.S. I volunteered as a psychotherapist and clinical supervisor at the Marjorie Kovler Center for Survivors of Political Torture. And aided asylees at the National Immigrant Justice to win asylum cases.

I have taught at the Jung Center in Evanston, the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice, and Southwestern College in Santa Fe. Additionally, I conduct private workshops on dreaming, astrology, and creativity.