Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Duluth, MN

Welcome. I’m glad you’re here.

Reaching out for support can feel overwhelming. I aim to create a safe, collaborative, and grounded space from the beginning. I meet clients where they are and move at a pace that feels manageable and respectful.

I work with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families experiencing anxiety, trauma, addiction, and relationship challenges. I also specialize in complex and developmental trauma.

I support clients in integrating their spiritual and cultural values into therapy when desired and clinically appropriate. I was born in New Orleans and bring a culturally informed perspective shaped by my Latina, Indigenous, Christian, and Sephardic Jewish backgrounds.

I became a therapist because I have a deep commitment to helping people recognize and build their own strengths, especially during periods of feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected. I understand that seeking support takes courage, and I work to create a space where clients feel heard, understood, and supported throughout the process.

I earned a Master of Social Work (MSW) and PhD from Tulane University, as well as a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Tulane University’s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Louisiana and Texas, and a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Minnesota. I also hold a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), Licensed Prevention Professional (LPP), and Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP).

I am a military veteran with over 20 years of experience in the mental health field, with a specialized focus over the past decade on men’s mental health, including court-ordered assessments and mandated treatment services. My clinical approach is grounded primarily in evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which I utilize to support clients in developing emotional regulation, coping skills, and sustainable behavioral change. In my current role, I conduct comprehensive mental health screenings, coordinate and oversee integrated care services, and provide direct clinical support within a substance use inpatient treatment setting. Additionally, I dedicate part of my practice to serving a rural Tribal Native American community through a mental health clinic, where I provide culturally responsive and community-informed care.

I also strongly advocate for men navigating systems where they are often disproportionately penalized or misunderstood, working to ensure their mental health needs are appropriately recognized and addressed within legal, correctional, and treatment environments. My professional focus includes supporting fair, trauma-informed approaches that balance accountability with rehabilitation. I have specialized experience working with individuals diagnosed with psychotic disorders and mood disorders, providing psychoeducation to clients and their families—particularly during the early stages of diagnosis—and delivering life skills training to promote stability, independence, and long-term success in community living.

I am empathetic, compassionate and listen actively to my patients.

As a therapist, I take a client-centered, genuine, collaborative approach to the client’s needs and goals. I have over 19 years of experience with significant experience helping adult clients (18+) work through anxiety, mood disorders (depression/bipolar disorder), sexual addictions/offenses, trauma, grief/loss, men and women's issues, and general life stressors/transitions (work, relationships, parenting, etc).

Choosing a therapist is a personal decision, and I believe you deserve someone who will meet you with compassion, curiosity, and respect. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe to be yourself—without judgment—and where we can work together to better understand the challenges you're facing and the strengths you already possess.

I hold a master's degree in Addictions and Rehabilitation Counseling and am a license professional clinical counselor in the Minnesota. Before becoming a therapist, I earned my medical degree in Mexico, an experience that deepened my appreciation for the connection between emotional and physical well-being.

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with more than 15 years of nursing experience across a variety of healthcare settings. I earned my Doctor of Nursing Practice degree with a focus in psychiatric-mental health nursing and completed clinical training across the lifespan. My background has given me a strong understanding of how physical health, life experiences, and emotional well-being can all impact mental health. I value providing thoughtful, individualized care and building trusting relationships with the people I serve.