I am from Guilford, Connecticut and went to the University of Connecticut for my undergraduate Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. After serving four years as an officer in the United States Army, I was accepted to the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at Suffolk University. I began on the child track, doing my first practicum at The Walker Home and School in Needham, MA. I also taught workshops on conflict resolution at the Pawtucket, RI YMCA - a school and after school daycare for children. My second practicum involved conducting individual, couples, and group therapy with veterans at the Veterans Administration in Bedford, MA. My Master’s thesis, which was defended in June, 2005, included studying how the Social Identity Theory related to highly-identified sports fans. The participants were students in Franklin High School and Suffolk University. A specific emphasis was placed on the relationship between being identified with a team or athlete and self-esteem. My dissertation topic involves using a mindfulness approach to educate college-aged females who have been victimized in order to prevent re-victimization in the future. In addition to taking classes and fulfilling practicum requirements, I teach an undergraduate Psychology class.

Beyond psychology, my interests are related to reading philosophy and watching/playing sports. I am an avid runner and somewhat of a geek when it comes to running history, particularly in the distance events.