About
I was born in Odessa, Ukraine, and immigrated to the United States at twelve with my family as Jewish refugees escaping antisemitism. This experience shaped my understanding of safety, identity, and belonging. It taught me that love and connection are things we create intentionally, through effort and care – not things we can take for granted. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and my Master’s degree in Social Work from New York University, where I trained in Ego Psychology and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. During my school years, I came out as gay, which shaped my understanding of vulnerability, acceptance, and love that is chosen rather than assumed. Later in my life, through continued internal work and community connection, I came out again – this time as nonbinary.
