Lighthouse Clinic

My Philosophy of Care

Finding the right psychiatrist can feel overwhelming, especially if you've felt unheard, rushed, or reduced to a diagnosis in the past. I believe effective mental health care begins with understanding the whole person, including your experiences, strengths, relationships, personal goals, and what wellness means to you. From that foundation, we work together to develop a treatment plan that reflects your unique needs and values.

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My approach is collaborative, evidence-based, and individualized. Depending on your goals, treatment may include medication management, psychotherapy, mindfulness-based strategies, and attention to the lifestyle factors that influence emotional well-being, such as sleep, exercise, nutrition, chronic medical conditions, stress, and relationships. Whether we are discussing medications, patterns in your life, or larger questions of meaning and purpose, I strive to create an environment where you feel understood, respected, and actively involved in your care.

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I work with adults (and adolescents on a case by case basis) experiencing a wide range of mental health concerns, including anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD and complex trauma, OCD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, substance use disorders, stress, burnout, and challenges related to life transitions. I have particular interests in healthcare worker mental health, LGBTQ+ affirming care, mindfulness and meditation, and helping individuals navigate periods of uncertainty, identity development, and recovery.

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My psychotherapy approach draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), psychodynamic psychotherapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)-informed techniques, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD, supportive therapy, and trauma-informed care. As a psychiatrist, I enjoy integrating psychotherapy with medication management when it is clinically appropriate, while also collaborating closely with therapists and other members of a patient's care team.

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One aspect of my background that has deeply shaped my practice is a longstanding interest in understanding the mind through both scientific inquiry and contemplative traditions. My academic training includes neuroscience research, which fostered a deep appreciation for the biological foundations of mental illness and the importance of evidence-based treatment. At the same time, I have spent years studying and teaching mindfulness and meditation, including time living and practicing alongside Buddhist monks. Rather than seeing these perspectives as competing, I view them as complementary ways of understanding the human experience. While my clinical work is firmly grounded in modern psychiatric science, I also recognize that mental health is influenced by meaning, relationships, values, culture, and, for some individuals, spirituality. I strive to meet each patient where they are and tailor care to what is most meaningful and effective for them.

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What to Expect During Your First Appointment
 

Your initial visit is a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation designed to help us develop a thoughtful understanding of your concerns and determine the treatment approach that will best support your goals. We will discuss your current symptoms, psychiatric and medical history, previous treatments, medications, family history, relationships, work or school, substance use, sleep, lifestyle, and other aspects of your life that may be affecting your mental health.

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At the end of the evaluation, we will review our impressions together and develop an individualized treatment plan. Depending on your needs, this may include medication management, psychotherapy with me, referral to another therapist for specialized or ongoing psychotherapy while I provide medication management, or other recommendations. Because every person's situation is different, the decision about whether psychotherapy with me is the best fit is made collaboratively after a thorough evaluation rather than before our first meeting.

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My goal is to ensure that every patient receives the type of care that is most likely to help them, even when that means coordinating treatment with other members of your healthcare team.

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About Me
 

While I am originally from Southern California, I earned my medical degree from Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University before completing my psychiatry residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin, where I served as Chief Resident for the Center for Psychotherapies. My training provided experience across inpatient, outpatient, emergency, consultation-liaison, addiction, geriatric, and community psychiatry, as well as psychotherapy training in multiple evidence-based treatment modalities. I also had the privilege of providing LGBTQ+ affirming psychiatric care through the Froedtert Inclusion Clinic and have developed a particular interest in supporting healthcare workers and others navigating high levels of stress, burnout, and life transitions.

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Long before medical school, I was fascinated by the question of what makes people who they are, and the many paths people take to seek healing, growth, and a return to their most authentic selves. That curiosity led me to pursue a B.S. in neuroscience at the University of Southern California, where I conducted research on the brain and completed an honors thesis. At the same time, I was exploring other ways of understanding the human mind through philosophy, mindfulness, and contemplative practice. Over the years, I became a meditation instructor, developed and taught mindfulness programs, and spent time living and practicing alongside Buddhist monks. These experiences continue to shape how I think about healing and have reinforced my belief that the most effective psychiatric care is both scientifically rigorous and deeply human.

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Beyond clinical practice, I have remained active in psychiatric education, advocacy, and physician wellness initiatives. I have presented in numerous forums on topics including psychiatric advance directives, psychopharmacology, and psychotherapy education, and I currently serve in leadership roles within the Wisconsin Psychiatric Association. I enjoy teaching medical students and residents and believe that continual learning is one of the greatest responsibilities, and privileges, of being a physician.

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Outside of work, I enjoy music, travel, filmmaking, writing, cooking, and spending time outdoors. I find that maintaining interests beyond medicine helps me stay connected to the broader human experience and reminds me that mental health is ultimately about helping people build lives that feel rich, meaningful, and authentic, not simply reducing symptoms.