What do you enjoy most about your field of study or work?
I enjoy being able to combine two of my favorite activities, reading and helping others. As a therapist, I’ve always struggled with working with my patients over 40 in areas such as grief, rediscovering self love, and navigating love/dating in their changing world. This past year, I got back into reading, especially romance books, and many of my favorite authors have helped me in sessions more ways than I can count. I would have never guessed romance books would not only help my mental health, but also with creating treatment plans and developing techniques that encourage my patients.
As the niece of a librarian, books have always been a part of my life since birth. Reading is a form of escape for me, as I am able to get out of my own head and explore various fictional words. Prior to my 2024 reading journey, I did not think that therapy or mental health existed in fiction, since most fictional worlds are “perfect”. However, this past year I have come across authors that create perfectly imperfect characters that struggle with mental health and how they still deserve to be loved.
Of the 185 books I have read (at the time of writing), roughly 100 of those books had some representation of therapeutic techniques and/or the importance of self-care. A quote that keeps replaying in my head is “negative self-talk is beneath me.” I read this line in March and 9 months later I am still repeating it to myself. Regarding my therapist journey, romance books have guided me towards wanting to work more with patients that struggle with relationships and sexuality, while also spreading the joy of reading as a form of escapism.
Experience at Marymount University
I attended the International Suicide Prevention Conference in Northern Ireland; and as a part of the inaugural cohort for the HRSA grant, I was given the opportunity to present at the Mediterranean Region Counselors Association Conference in Naples, Italy.
Studying abroad helped me grow as a person and develop future career goals. What I learned from my experiences on these trips will stay with me for the rest of my life.
I will never forget getting stranded on Mt. Vesuvius with two of my friends, Scarlet Lovejoy and Yasmin Lucchesi, who are also alumni. We were shopping and taking pictures like we weren’t stranded on a mountain, and then we finally found a nice tour bus driver who got us back to the hotel. This was a perfect example of how Marymount taught us to focus on what you can control and to find positive solutions.
The Counseling faculty, staff, and my fellow classmates not only supported me academically but in my personal life, especially after experiencing my own mental health challenges which led to a severe case of imposter syndrome. Marymount inspired me to meet life’s challenges head on, always be myself, and encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone.
Future Aspirations
Currently, I am completing my counseling residency at Open Mind Health, and in a few months I will have my LPC. In the future, I am looking forward to getting certified by AASECT. Inspired by internationally acclaimed sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer, I want to continue to tear down the taboo stereotypes that surround sex and sexuality.
I want to create a supportive, nonjudgmental, inclusive and safe environment for my patients to have conversations about relationships, intimacy, sexuality, and sex education. As a sex/sexuality therapist, I will have the opportunity to use psychotherapy to help individuals or couples address any emotional or mental roadblocks that are causing or are related to sexual issues.
Fun Facts
- Favorite Band/Musician: The Weeknd & Lady Gaga
- Favorite Color: Pink
- Favorite Self-Care Activity: Reading Romance Books
- Motto: “Don’t hope someone gives you an opportunity, create one for yourself” – Shannon Sharpe
