I am an acupuncturist who specializes in treating mental health, specifically but not limited to anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and generalized stress disorders. I have taken advanced courses specifically for providing care to the LGBTQIA+ community through Acupuncture Continuing Education as well as through Babs Siperstein PROUD Center at RWJ Barnabas Health.

I co-founded Boonton Rainbow Pride, which is a grassroots effort aimed at uplifting the LGBTQIA+ community through resources, fundraising and events.

The reason I’m so passionate about supporting this group is because I have many family members and friends in the LGBTQIA+ community. Over the years, I’ve heard countless stories about hate crimes, barriers in receiving healthcare, barriers in being present during health care appointments with other family members including minors, and so many other things that have made their lives difficult. My other passion is treating mental health. These days where 45% of LGBTQIA+ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the last year, 60% of LGBTQIA+ youth were not able to access mental health care, and fewer than 1 in 3 transgender and nonbinary youth found their home to be gender affirming, I feel strongly that this community needs as much mental health support as possible.