About Nina

To hear my mom tell the story, I wanted to be a social worker since the third grade. I don’t remember much about my social work ambitions as a child, however, I do know this field has felt like the right fit for me since my first day on the job.

The field of psychology captured my curiosity early on as a college student. The ways in which our biology and the environment interact with one another and influence our ways of experiencing and reacting to the world continue to fascinate me. When I think of our environment, I am especially interested in the ways in which human relationships profoundly affect our views and beliefs about ourselves and others.

In an effort to advance my education and training as a mental health professional, I researched various counseling programs while working as a mental health case manager. I landed on a Master of Social Work degree because the core principles of the social work profession spoke to me then and continue to influence my work today: service to others, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence.

I have worked in a variety of settings including residential treatment, medical and psychiatric inpatient hospital programs, outpatient clinics and research programs. I was introduced to Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) by Dr. Tina Goldstein while working at the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Services clinic in Pittsburgh, PA. Learning and providing this treatment has been a game changer for me, both professionally and personally. Working as hard as you can to make changes and improve your life while simultaneously accepting yourself and the world just as it is is an approach that has transformed the lives of many of my patients. Becoming a more flexible thinker. Embracing a non-judgmental stance. Being genuine, authentic, and true to yourself and your values. Striving to change problem patterns of behavior. These are the core aspects of DBT that I value the most.

On a personal note, I am a lifelong Pittsburgh resident. In my free time, I enjoy reading, cooking, taking walks, listening to music, and spending time with my family and friends. I also love having my dog, Champion, by my side.