I value circumstances, where I am challenged to be real and grow. This deep seeded desire sparked my interest early on in what it means to be human; which manifested first in being a nurse-midwife and then in my current career in clinical social work.

After graduating from the University of Heidelberg, Germany in 1993 with a degree as nurse midwife, I collaborated with another certified nurse-midwife in a group practice. We provided prenatal checks, classes, family counseling, home- and hospital births, and postpartum home care. Being in private practice allowed me to work very intimately with women, couples, and families. During this time I learned invaluable lessons about transitions, couples and family dynamics, control, will, surrender, and humility.

I earned my German Social Work (Diplom SozialpaedagogIn/SozialarbeiterIn) degree in 2006 from the University of Applied Sciences in Merseburg, Germany with summa cum laude. After graduating, I participated in an one-year exchange program for European trained social workers (ILEX) in the USA, where I worked as service coordinator in an early intervention program as well as an in-home service program for people with developmental challenges in Rhode Island.

In 2009, I graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Social Work with a Master of Social Work (Concentration: Group Work) and a Certificate in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment. From 2007 until 2011, I interned and worked in hospitals and not-for profit agencies primarily with people who struggled with co-occurring mental health challenges and addictions. I am licensed to practice psychotherapy independently in CT and opened my private practice in 2011.

I feel deeply grateful to every person, who allows and allowed me to learn about his/her/their life, joys, strengths, troubles, and who helped me understand more about the power to heal and the impact of poverty, race, gender, sexual identity, and mental wellness on their lives.

 

I am a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and participate regularly in peer consultation circles and professional continuing education classes. In addition, I am a volunteer mediator at the Children's Law Center.