My story

I grew up in a small town in New Hampshire with a pretty traditional, Catholic, blue-collar family. Did the thing - graduated from high school, partied my way through college in Boston, moved to central/southern California for graduate school, and met my (ex) husband. Got married, had a baby, got tenure. I was living what most people think is the *dream* – great husband, young child, beautiful house in the suburbs. Problem was, it wasn’t *my* dream. During COVID, it all started to crumble. Nothing felt right.

My life had to fall apart for me to build the life that was meant for *me.* I’ve spent the last few years rebuilding myself from the ground up – psychologically, emotionally, mentally, physically, financially. I’ve walked through a lot of rough paths – childhood trauma, alcoholic and emotionally unavailable parents, divorce, graduate school, parenting, you name it. Now, I am a happy and successful co-parenting, city living, world traveling entrepreneur and professor. I want to help you find your way, too.

I started coaching after almost twenty years of experience working in mental health, and appreciating that we need sense of belonging, purpose, authenticity, and community as much as we need food, air, water, and sex. I help people find their unique and purposeful path toward living a meaningful life - however you define it. I don't just talk the talk, I walked the walk. There's so much more we can do to support outside of therapy.

I try to split my time between Boston, San Diego, and the rest of the world, but I am housed most of the time in Boston, MA. I love to travel, and spend time with my daughter (ideally at the same time!) I also enjoy Crossfit, yoga (I am working on my 200 hour training!), running, wine, reading, and spending time with my friends. I'm currently training for my second half marathon and a hyrox race in 2025.

Professional Experience

I am an associate professor of Behavioral Sciences at Fitchburg State University, in the human services program, where I also act as the program coordinator. I am the Faculty Fellow for the Pedagogy of Real Talk Faculty Academy. I was awarded tenure in 2021.

I am also adjunct faculty in the Master's in Counseling program and the Master's in Professional Studies in Criminal Justice programs at Fitchburg State.

Prior to my academic career, I worked in a variety of settings as a mental health professional, including educational, correctional, inpatient and outpatient mental health, and nonprofit organizations. My current scholarly interests include sense of belonging, trauma informed practice (particularly in mental health settings and the educational environment), and the Pedagogy of Real Talk.

I am also currently the social science researcher on a National Science Foundation SSTEM grant, and the the principal investigator on two studies related to faculty sense of belonging, and study abroad and the development of sense of belonging.

My media consultations include Psychology Today, A&E, Science Versus, Clean Eating Magazine, and Women's Health.

Courses taught:

o Introduction to Human Services (HMSV 1100)
o Global Caring and Helping (study abroad course in Dubrovnik, Croatia) (HMSV 1200)*
o Social and Cultural Diversity in Human Services (HMSV 2005)* Spring 2024
o Interviewing Techniques (HMSV 2500)
o Crisis Intervention (HSMV 2400)
o Abuse and Neglect in the Family (HMSV 3500)
o Mental and Behavioral Health Policy (HMSV 3550) *
o Assessment (HMSV 3610) *
o Professional Issues (HMSV 3700)
o Case Management (HMSV 3800)
o Internship Seminar (HMSV 4870 and 4890)
o Lifespan Development (COUN 8030)
o Psychopathology 1: Diagnosis and Assessment (COUN 8130)
o Social and Cultural Foundations: Issues in Counseling (COUN 8190)
o Beyond Incarceration (CJ 8300)*

*indicates role as course creater

Please contact me for my full CV.

Education

2009-2015

Doctor of Clinical Forensic Psychology (Psy.D.)

Master of Arts, Clinical Forensic Psychology
Alliant International University (San Diego, CA)

With Honors

Outstanding Psy.D. (California School of Forensic Studies)

Dissertation: Jesness Inventory Revised TRIN and VRIN; Enhancing Juvenile Risk Assessment to Assess Response Distortion

2006-2009

Master of Science, Criminology (M.S.)
California State University, Fresno (Fresno, CA)

With Honors

Dean's Graduate Award (College of Social Sciences)

Outstanding Graduate Student Award (Department of Criminology)

Research Merit Award (Department of Criminology)

Master's Thesis: Macdonald Triad: Predictor of Violence or Urban Myth?

2001-2006

Bachelor of Science, Psychology (B.S)
Northeastern University

(Boston, MA)

Cum Laude