My Story

What was your path to becoming a practitioner?

I was inspired to enter the helping profession while watching my mother work as a social worker in a nursing home. I volunteered in nursing homes, engaged in geriatric research in college, and worked in clinical geriatrics after college. However, it was at this point that my interest took an unexpected shift. While interviewing a 92-year-old nursing home resident, I became intrigued by how her beliefs about “getting sick” led her to avoid leaving her room and contributed to depression and anxiety. With the assistance of the psychologist on staff, we were able to help this patient change her beliefs and slowly interact with a few residents. This unforgettable experience kindled an interest in studying anxiety and mood disorders, and I decided to pursue graduate training in clinical psychology. My training focused on the treatment of anxiety disorders and how well measures of anxiety apply to different ethnic groups.

What should someone know about working with you?

I have a cognitive behavioral approach to treatment, which has been shown through scientific research to be a very effective treatment for many conditions, problems, and disorders; however, I also use other evidence-based treatment approaches to help clients because I strongly believe that treatment should be tailored to an individual’s unique needs and strengths. I also believe in a careful, thorough, and culturally sensitive assessment of a client’s reported problems or concerns. Additionally, I value collaboratively developing treatment goals and choosing treatment strategies to achieve desired goals. It is equally important to have a way of knowing that treatment goals are being met. So, clients can expect me to monitor their progress and they can also expect homework. Yes, homework! Don’t worry; it will be worth it!

Have you done any research-based work that you found particularly exciting? How does it inform your practice today?

My past research has focused on cultural variations among anxiety disorders and racial/ethnic diversity issues. For example, I published research articles focused on the effectiveness of clinical measures capturing obsessive compulsive symptoms in different racial/ethnic groups as well as on the application of a prominent theoretical model of anxiety in different racial/ethnic groups. Additionally, I co-authored a chapter on examining diversity issues when assessing social skills among different racial/ethnic groups. Furthermore, I worked on a research project that examined the effectiveness of a novel anxiety treatment approach. The training that I received while working on the research project continues to inform my practice today and provides a cost-effective and efficient way of treating anxiety and mood disorders. My research on cultural diversity issues also continues to inform my practice, my engagement in continuing education, and my roles in professional organizations.

Outside of working with women dealing with anxiety and depression, what other groups or issues are you passionate about serving?

As a graduate student, I trained at the University of Houston’s Anxiety Disorder Clinic. I received specialized training in the treatment of anxiety disorders. I also gained research experience as a clinician for a NIMH funded grant examining the effectiveness of a trans-diagnostic treatment model for anxiety disorders. As a graduate student, I also developed a strong interest in treating anxiety and related disorders among minority groups, particularly African Americans. My primary research interests surround the applicability of treatment and assessment of anxiety disorders across cultures as well as the availability and perceptions of mental health services among African Americans. Therefore, I am eager to serve communities that have been traditionally underserved.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I enjoy attending festivals, concerts, and farmers markets. I also enjoy going to the beach, baking, watching action movies, going to the symphony, and spending time with family and friends. I also enjoy traveling and the farthest place I’ve traveled to was to Tehran, Iran. I was the opening presenter for an International Anxiety Congress under the auspices of Shefa Neuroscience Research Center in Khatam Hospital in 2016.

I’m looking forward to getting to know you! Schedule a 15-min Consultation here.