At the beginning of my career, Dr. Caprice Hollins served as the catalyst for my work in unlearning harmful patterns around my privilege as a cis-gendered, white woman. She helped expand my awareness of the importance of multiculturalism and social justice in mental health work. Dr. Roy Barsness laid the groundwork for relational psychodynamic psychotherapy for me. My therapy work draws from many modalities but the impact of learning through practice, the “I-Thou” relationship, at the start of my career will always be of benefit to my ability to see the person I am sitting across with honor. He believed in me and encouraged my potential at a difficult juncture in my early career.

As I grew in my clinical work, I gained valuable education through the teachings of Dr. Arielle Schwartz, Dr. Hillary McBride, and Kendra Bloom on embodiment and the value of somatic therapy in my work. In 2020, I found myself surprised by the mentorship of Anne Van Roden and Gloria Sandford and their work on neurodiversity in mental health. I learned so much from both of these women and grew in my work with parents of complex and beautiful kids. I am also grateful for the gift they gave me in identifying and owning my own neurodiversity.

Regarding my work in reproductive mental health, I have been fortunate to learn from Dr. Shara Brofman, Dr. Christiane Manzella, and Dr. Marissa Long, among many other teachers. I have also had the profound privilege of working in a physical office that is filled with thoughtful, smart, and courageous leaders in the field of maternal healthcare. Dr. Lakin, Dr. Erisman, Dr. Mayer, Dr. Levi, and Lisa Gendron have all been impactful collaborators in my work with the perinatal population. They have broadened my knowledge and awareness of women’s healthcare in ways that have benefited my work significantly. I’m so grateful.

Finally, I have been taught by a number of therapists as I’ve explored my own personal healing and growth over the course of decades. Some of them have taught me what not to do as a therapist and others have offered me therapeutic care that has shaped my work profoundly. I know the work of mental health from the inside out and I’m grateful to the people who have supported my process, both personally and professionally. I’m incredibly fortunate to have a wellspring of brilliant teachers and colleagues. I look forward to continuing to add to this list as I progress in my career.