Specialists for Social Justice

• Tell us about your current professional roles and activities.

Currently, I am the Associate Director of the Mount Sinai Human Rights Program which offers comprehensive pro bono services to asylum seekers who have experienced torture and persecution in their countries of origin. In addition, I serve as a Senior Adviser at McLean Hospital’s Trauma Continuum of Care and am an American Psychological Association Representative to the United Nations.

• What do you enjoy most about your job?

I really enjoy working as a member of interdisciplinary teams and partnering with colleagues. Across my roles, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to collaborate with allied clinicians, legal teams, civil society organizations, and communities with lived experience. It is powerful to witness the impact that can be achieved when the passion and expertise of diverse stakeholders come together to work towards shared goals and positive change.

• What inspired you to get board certified?

I first learned about board certification during my hospital reappointment process. As I was submitting documentation, I discovered that board certification can serve as evidence of the advanced training and proven skill development necessary to attain certain categories of privileges as a psychologist. This inspired me to contact the ABPP and begin the candidacy process.

• How has board certification contributed to your professional activities?

Board certification has become a valuable credential related to my professional activities, particularly when interfacing with medical settings and forensic systems. These settings often require demonstration of specialty expertise and board certification recognizes our commitment to competence across relevant domains such as intervention, assessment, and consultation, as well as ethical and culturally responsive practice.  

• What advice would you give to psychologists or trainees interested in pursuing board certification?

There are a range of benefits associated with board certification, including networking and consultation resources, pathways to licensure mobility, access to continuing education and development, and venues for engagement in service and advocacy initiatives. Preparing for board certification also offers a worthwhile opportunity to reflect upon your professional identity, career accomplishments, and goals for the future. I strongly encourage anyone who is interested to reach out to the ABPP and learn more about the process.

• What is your favorite thing about being a psychologist?

There are so many ways that psychologists can leverage the knowledge and science of our field to advance human rights. We can contribute to supporting health and wellbeing through the creation of new research, development of training and education programming, engagement in advocacy efforts, and provision of clinical services. Psychology is a multifaceted discipline that can be harnessed to respond to both the challenges and opportunities we face as a global community.

• What inspired you to pursue a career in psychology?

Initially, I had trained as a sculptor and worked in nonprofit arts education. Over the years, the career experiences that became the most meaningful for me were site-specific projects that emerged through collaboration with communities. My passion for psychology grew out of these moments and translated into my enthusiasm for participatory action research approaches that center local wisdom and expertise.