Profile

I hold a B.A. in Psychology (summa cum laude) and an A.S. in Human Services. Driven by lived experience and a commitment to walking alongside individuals and families navigating complex challenges, I transitioned from a decade-long career managing a specialized small business into the Human Services field. My practice is grounded in treating the whole person—recognizing how personal histories, familial dynamics, culture, and systemic conditions intersect to shape human well-being.

My direct field experience includes a Human Services internship where I monitored supervised visitation, co-facilitated peer support groups, maintained precise case documentation, and assisted families with community resource navigation. My work as a primary family caregiver shaped my understanding of care coordination, strength-based communication, and individualized support. These roles reinforced my belief in trauma-informed, person-centered care that honors individual dignity and autonomy.

My academic work focused on lifespan human development, trauma, and systemic vulnerability. Through coursework in Counseling Children and Adolescents, Developmental Psychopathology, Narrative Psychology, Cultural Psychology, Addiction and Dependency, and Interpersonal and Intersectional Violence, I analyzed how acute trauma, family functioning, culture, and social marginalization impact psychological development and behavioral outcomes.

My broader research interests center on child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSAE), secondary traumatic stress (STS), PTSD, and compassion fatigue among frontline helpers exposed to graphic material. I am also deeply interested in emerging challenges at the intersection of technology and child safety—specifically the psychological and ethical implications of AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM) for survivors, advocates, and multidisciplinary response teams.

My goal is to build a meaningful career in Human Services, drawing on my academic background, lived experience, and understanding of human behavior to help individuals and families navigate challenging circumstances. I hope to continue developing my professional skills through hands-on experience and further education while contributing to services that promote dignity, stability, and access to support.