Why I Do This Work
I became a therapist because I wanted to help people feel less alone in their struggles. But somewhere along the way, I realized that one-on-one therapy—while deeply meaningful—wasn't enough.
The kids I work with aren't struggling in isolation. They're growing up in a world that's fundamentally different from the one their parents experienced. Social media, AI, constant connectivity—these aren't just tools; they're reshaping how young people think about themselves, their relationships, and their futures.
So I started asking bigger questions: What does good mental health support look like in this context? How do we help families set boundaries without creating fear? How do we prepare kids for a world we don't fully understand yet?
That's what drives my work now. I split my time between clinical practice (where I sit with individual kids and families) and education (where I help schools, communities, and organizations think systemically about these challenges).
The Work I Do
At The Ross Center in New York, I specialize in working with children and teenagers dealing with anxiety, depression, and the unique challenges of growing up in a digital world. I use evidence-based approaches—cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and family systems work—but I'm always adapting based on what each kid needs.
At Columbia University, I teach graduate students in social work and public health. I love this part of my work because it forces me to stay sharp, to question my assumptions, and to prepare the next generation of clinicians to do this work better than I do.
I also speak, write, and consult with schools and organizations trying to create healthier environments for young people. This includes workshops on digital wellness, anxiety management, and how to support kids without becoming their therapist.
What I Believe
I don't believe in blanket rules or one-size-fits-all solutions. Every family is different. Every kid is different. But after years of doing this work, here's what I've come to trust:
- The middle path is usually the best path. Neither tech panic nor tech utopia serves our kids. We need nuance, curiosity, and flexibility.
- Anxiety is not the enemy. It's information. Our job is to help kids learn to listen to it without being ruled by it.
- Parents don't need to be perfect. They need to be present, curious, and willing to admit when they don't have all the answers.
- We can't protect kids from everything. But we can teach them how to navigate difficulty, regulate their emotions, and ask for help when they need it.
- Technology isn't inherently good or bad. It's a tool. How we use it, and how we help kids use it, matters immensely.
Background & Training
I'm a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with specialized training in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). I completed my graduate work in social work and have spent over a decade working with children, adolescents, and families in clinical and educational settings.
- The Ross Center — Therapist specializing in teen and childhood anxiety
- Columbia University — Adjunct Professor, School of Social Work and Mailman School of Public Health
- Co-Founder, Kode With Klossy — Coding education program for young women
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) — New York State
- Certified in CBT & DBT — Evidence-based therapeutic approaches
A Little More About Me
I live in New York City, where I spend too much time thinking about the irony of being a therapist who works on screens all day while also worrying about screen time.
I love good questions more than quick answers. I'm skeptical of trends but endlessly curious about what actually works. And I believe that the best way to help kids is to support the adults who care for them—which is why so much of my work focuses on parents, teachers, and communities.
If you're reading this, you probably care deeply about a young person in your life. I'm here to help you figure out how to support them—and yourself—through this complicated, beautiful, overwhelming work of growing up in the 21st century.