My calling to this work began at the intersection of faith and science. As a Permanent Deacon with the Archdiocese of Boston, I witnessed firsthand how suffering — particularly trauma and addiction — isolates people from themselves, their communities, and their sense of meaning. I pursued doctoral-level training in psychology because I believed healing required both rigorous clinical science and deep human compassion. Thirty years later, that conviction has only deepened.

I work best with adults navigating addiction, trauma, and moral injury — particularly those who feel their struggles carry a deeper existential or spiritual weight. I have special expertise serving the Brazilian-American community, bringing bilingual (English/Portuguese) culturally attuned care to clients who often find it difficult to access providers who truly understand their background and values.

Healing is not linear, and it is not weakness — it is one of the most courageous acts a person can undertake. In my research on forgiveness and moral injury at Harvard, I’ve seen repeatedly that the capacity for transformation lives within people long before they believe it themselves.

Clients can expect to feel genuinely heard — not assessed or categorized. My first priority is building a relationship grounded in trust and respect. I use evidence-based approaches tailored to each person, and I’ll be honest with you about what the process involves, what progress might look like, and what we’ll work on together. You are the expert on your own life; my role is to walk alongside you.

I begin by listening deeply — not just to symptoms or presenting concerns, but to the full story of who a person is: their culture, values, faith, relationships, and history. From there, I draw on a range of evidence-based approaches — including trauma-focused therapies and addiction treatment models — selecting and adapting techniques to fit each individual rather than applying a one-size-fits-all protocol.

For my Brazilian-American clients, this often means integrating cultural nuance and conducting sessions in Portuguese when that feels more natural and authentic. For clients carrying moral injury or spiritual wounds, I bring both clinical expertise and the perspective of a faith-formed human being who takes those dimensions seriously.

Above all, I collaborate with each client — sharing my clinical reasoning transparently, adjusting our approach as we learn together what works, and always keeping their goals and dignity at the center of our work.