Hi, I’m Justin and congratulations on taking the first steps towards focusing on your or your child’s mental wellness. 

None of us are completely immune to the challenges of life. Stress is a normal part of the human condition and it comes in many forms: difficult childhoods, trauma, interpersonal challenges, school -related problems, work/career troubles, grief and loss, parenting struggles—just to name a few. The reality is that life places obstacles in our way, but how we manage and cope with them ultimately affects their impact on our mental and physical health. Sometimes, the scale between struggling and coping tips towards struggling and we need support—that is where we come in! I strongly believe in the power of therapy to facilitate behavior change and alleviate your suffering. Whether you or your child is struggling with something specific (e.g., anxiety or depression), or you just want to make a simple behavioral change to optimize your mental wellness, I am here to help.  

Bio

I am a licensed psychotherapist (LCSW-R—license #087393), hold a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California, and a Ph.D. from the University of Rochester with a specialization in counseling. I have over ten years of experience working with adults, adolescents, children, and families in a variety of clinical settings. I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, stress-related difficulties, parenting challenges, and relationship problems. I also have expertise in promoting individual wellness through helping clients make behavioral changes in lifestyle (e.g., sleep, diet, and exercise).  

In addition to practicing at Kaleidoscope Wellness, I am a researcher at the University of Rochester where I examine the effects of early-life stress on life-long development and mental health. I focus on identifying the roots of mental health challenges so that clients can learn about the causes of their current struggles and be empowered to use this knowledge to achieve their desired goals and mental wellness. I also teach multiple graduate courses in mental health counseling at the University of Rochester and have published several research articles and book chapters on the mental health of children and adolescents, parenting, and the impact of stress on mental and physical health.  

Therapeutic style

No single therapeutic intervention is best for everyone. People seek support for many different reasons and one size does not fit all. Therefore, I believe in personalizing services to your unique profile and experience. This means that I integrate and draw on multiple models of therapy and individually-tailor your intervention to fit you. We can discuss the advantages and drawbacks of different treatment options so that you can have direct input on your treatment. I pull from the newest research and rely on multiple effective interventions that have strong evidence in treating mental health problems.  To learn more about some of the specific interventions I rely on, head over to the services section.  

One common theme across my integrative approach is that I believe knowledge is power. The more you know about how and why your current struggles have developed and been maintained, the more power you have to change them. I rely on two important therapeutic tools to help you gain this mental health knowledge: 

• Psychoeducation. Quite simply, this means providing you with education and information about your mental health. In doing so, you can learn about how your (or your child’s) experiences, environments, biology, and behaviors influence your mental health. 

• Insight-oriented approach. Some people feel that digging up the past is unhelpful. We strive to help you uncover how your past influences your present so that you are informed and empowered to change your future.  

Choosing a therapist for yourself or your child can be tricky and overwhelming.  We believe that for growth to be achieved, it has to be within the context of a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship.  You may feel a connection to us and you may not; it’s important that you feel comfortable and that our practice is the right fit for you.  Please click here to schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation.