"Andy guided me through depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and a very unhealthy relationship. The caring, non-judgmental environment he created provided critical support as I sought to address these struggles. He truly helped me turn my life around." 

-E.B. former client

"It is hard to be completely open and vulnerable, but Andy was able to create a safe place that quelled any of my fears of judgement. Having the assuredness that at each session I would be met with the utmost kindness and compassion allowed me to grow in ways I didn't know possible. He listened thoughtfully, identified patterns in my behavior and helped me tie the threads to impactful moments from my past. Being able to gain a better understanding of myself allowed me to start seeing things from another perspective, recognize how attachment affects my present-day relationships and modify the way I interact with others. In short, my sessions with Andy were life-changing, and I will always be so grateful for him."

-K.L. former client 

"I was fortunate enough to find Andy during an especially troubling time after my divorce. He helped me identify and understand self-destructive thoughts and behavior patterns, then gave me the tools I needed to overcome them. I have him to thank for saving my new relationship, and for feeling more healthy and grounded than I have in decades. I highly recommend Andy as a guide for anyone that genuinely wants to improve themselves."

-Anonymous- former client

 

I'm a 2006 MSW Graduate of Boston University School of Social Work with a concentration in Clinical Social Work and Psychotherapy Practice; specific areas of study and expertise in human attachment and behavior, interpersonal relationship dyna​mics and the impact of interpersonal trauma. My practicum experience was at the Cambridge Health Alliance, a Harvard University Teaching Hospital in Cambridge Massachusetts in the Outpatient Psychiatry Department, Outpatient Addictions Service (founded by Edward Khantzian, MD) and I received clinical supervision through the Victims of Violence Program (founded by Judith Herman, MD).

 

These rich and diverse educational and training experiences helped inform my clinical orientation and practice that applies the principles of Social Work and the person-in-their-environment approach, combined with a deep appreciation of the function and influence of human attachment relationships on an individual's physiology, belief systems, behaviors, and expression of feelings and emotions.

 

With this foundation in mind, I help my clients by applying Attachment Theory and Trauma-Informed Practice through a combination of Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing techniques and strategies.

I'm originally from a small rural town of 2500 people in Central Ohio. I then lived in Boston Massachusetts for thirteen years, and have now lived in the San Diego area since 2015.

Most recently, I've been working in Outpatient Mental Health both at UCSD Health providing general psychotherapy services to a very diverse population of clients, and previously at The Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton providing psychotherapy services for active duty Marines and Sailors.