I’m a Health Psychologist specializing in Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)/Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD), Dysautonomia, and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), and I’m so happy you’ve found your way here!

My own journey with hEDS, Dysautonomia, and MCAS, which began about 30 years ago, is what led me here. Like many of you, I had to wait a long time to be accurately diagnosed. I know the profound impact these conditions can have on your life, and I am committed to helping you access the most important resources to navigate them.

My role as a Health Psychologist is to have a deep understanding of how EDS/HSD, Dysautonomia, and MCAS can be managed or improved to safeguard quality of life. My expertise is in the complex interplay between physical health and behavior as it relates to treating and coping with these medical conditions. I focus on all the ways that can make managing these conditions easier through optimizing medical regimens, lifestyle modifications, and research-backed coping strategies, as well as educating and collaborating with healthcare providers for compassionate, well-rounded care.

After my doctoral internship year at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine & Kennedy Krieger Institute, I stayed there for post-doctoral fellowship to be a provider in the Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) Clinic. Most of my patients were adolescents and young adults, many of whom were also diagnosed with EDS/HSD and/or MCAS. My doctoral dissertation focused on how anaphylactic allergies impact the lives of those who experience them, as well as their caregivers. The lived experiences of my patients and their caregivers have always taught me far more than any textbook ever could.

I know that if you have EDS/HSD, Dysautonomia, or MCAS, the obstacles to receiving the healthcare you need can feel endless and beyond overwhelming. Few healthcare professionals around the world have an adequate understanding of these conditions. Waitlists for specialists can stretch for months or even years. Care can cause significant financial burden, and traveling far from home for care is often not possible. I know many of you have been dismissed by healthcare providers, and that is simply unacceptable.

Whether you’re someone living with one or more of these conditions, a caregiver of someone who is, or a healthcare provider wanting to learn more, I want you to have easier access to in-depth education on these conditions whenever you need it, all from the comfort of your home. Stay tuned for a variety of straightforward toolkits, online self-paced courses, and other resources coming your way.