ā€œResilience is not a trait that you either have or do not have. It is a set of strategies that can be learned and practiced by anyoneā€
— Dr. Arielle Schwartz

In 2017 I had significant health issues which eventually led to the curiosity in Eastern treatment approaches. The integration of Western and Eastern approaches helped me uncover a level of acceptance— even in the midst of life's continuous turbulences. These experiences helped me recognize the consequences of viewing my mind, body, and spirit as separate entities.

My Story.

Instead, these experiences guided me to embrace and work towards accepting the full experience of life, even during its most challenging moments. While we each have our unique differences, we also share commonalities. My goal is to help others discover what approaches work best for them… There is no one-size-fits-all approach.

My Approach.

As the CEO and founder of Tides, I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 10 years of experience in various inpatient, outpatient, and non-profit settings. My goal is to create a space that fosters a therapeutic relationship, meeting you wherever you are.

I believe in empowering individuals to feel safe enough to discover their potential and create the life they desire. There is great value in taking a holistic approach, which emphasizes interconnectedness and the belief that all parts of a person can influence each other. This includes considering their mental, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being.

It is not a requirement to feel or be ā€œspiritualā€ here at Tides of Totality. Holistic approaches are grounded in evidence-based modalities and tailored to your unique needs. As your therapist, I will respect and honor your beliefs and preferences, ensuring a treatment experience that aligns with what works best for you.

Treatment Approaches

  • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) are both designed to help people manage stress and improve their mental health through mindfulness practices like meditation, body scans, and gentle yoga.

  • Incorporates body-based and embodiment interventions to help you reconnect with physical sensations, regulate the nervous system, and process experiences that may live beyond words.

  • Helps identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to emotional distress. CBT offers practical tools to create more supportive ways of thinking and responding.

  • Explores deeper questions of meaning, identity, freedom, responsibility, and purpose. Especially during periods of transition, uncertainty, or personal growth.

  • A relational, insight-oriented approach that explores how unconscious patterns, early experiences, and past relationships influence your present thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This work helps bring awareness to long-standing patterns so meaningful change can occur.

  • A collaborative, client-centered approach that helps explore ambivalence, strengthen intrinsic motivation, and support meaningful, self-directed change.

  • Focuses on understanding and integrating different ā€œpartsā€ of the self. Especially those shaped by past experiences or trauma. This approach gently attends to dissociation, inner conflict, and protective responses with curiosity and compassion.

  • Encourages a healthier relationship with thoughts and emotions by learning to accept internal experiences rather than fight them, while committing to actions aligned with your personal values.

  • A humanistic approach emphasizing present-moment awareness, self-acceptance, and understanding how you relate to your environment and relationships in the here and now.

  • Focuses on improving interpersonal relationships and social functioning to relieve symptoms of mental health conditions, particularly depression.

 I take an integrative and trauma-informed approach to therapy, drawing from several evidence-based and holistic modalities. This allows our work together to be tailored to your history, nervous system, values, and goals. Together, we will determine the type of therapy that best suits your needs.

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Licenses & Education

  • 149.023960

  • Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL

  • University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL

  • Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL

A Bit More About Me:

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Ocean pier at sunset with lighthouse, silhouetted sky, people on pier, and calm water.

Future Mini-Farmer

Ever since I was little, I envisioned owning land and just a few animals!

My Summer Tradition

My favorite time of the year is camping in Michigan —a tradition that began with two families in 1973 and has since grown into 20+ families and friends.

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Big Dreams, Smart Steps

I have a deep love for learning and asking thought-provoking questions, sometimes to the point of getting lost in the unknown. I’m constantly working to balance my grand ambition with a healthy dose of pragmatic caution.