I’ve worked across community-based mental health, homeless shelters and domestic violence programs— often in systems where resources are stretched thin and solutions aren’t simple. My current full-time role is in an interim housing facility in Los Angeles, where I work alongside people navigating trauma, homelessness, and recovery. This work grounds everything I do.

In parallel, I mentor graduate-level OT students, serve as a capstone project supervisor, and support early-career and experienced OTPs looking to pivot into non-traditional roles. My mentorship approach blends real-world perspective, trauma-informed care, and nervous system awareness. I'm also a certified yoga and meditation teacher, and integrate these somatic tools into my work when they feel helpful.

The Unlikely Inspiration for Wholistic Transitions

I became convinced of the power of alternative techniques such as yoga, mediation, and mindfulness while working as a mental health occupational therapist at various homeless shelters in New York City. We offered yoga groups for the clients and the impact was inspiring. Men and women who you might not anticipate loving yoga, were calming their bodies and minds while focusing on their breathing. 

The empowerment and calmness they experienced was something unusual in the noisy world of homeless shelters and living on the streets. And the impact was clear by their comments, faces, relaxed bodies, and repeat attendance. 

I realized that the traditional view of yoga was too narrow. If yoga and mindfulness could be beneficial for these homeless individuals with difficult life stories, then it has the potential for helping many others with life trauma or significant loss.  

Almost everyone can benefit from the practices of yoga and grounding, but the typical yoga class (or instructor) isn’t the right fit for every individual – especially those with a history of trauma. Harnessing the healing power of yoga requires an understanding of the complexity of trauma and creating an environment of trust.