About Dr. Tina
Why I became a Holistic Brain Health Practitioner
Even though I’ve been able to help hundreds of clients find relief from symptoms they never thought could change, for the 1st half of my life, I struggled with learning disabilities, severe stomach pains, depression and anxiety. My ailments and concerns were either dismissed by doctors, or inadequately addressed, or I was told I had to just accept my limitations. This was fueling my depression and despair, and so 3 decades ago, I decided for my own mental health, that I had to refuse to accept their limitations. I decided that if they didn’t have answers, I had to find them. It was my only hope!
I studied mechanisms of action and root causes in the fields of neuroscience at the University of Rochester and psychiatric and nutritional epidemiology at Johns Hopkins and Tufts University.
I started my business as a holistic brain & trauma recovery practitioner over a decade ago when I realized that I could help clients address their root causes quickly and efficiently with my intuitive skills.
At Peace with Being Different
Much of my life I’ve felt like an outsider due to cultural differences, unique learning challenges, and a perspective that seemed entirely unique.
For years I took rejection personally, until I realized it wasn’t about me. It was our culture. Most groups and institutions in America favor conformity and compliance. They aren’t comfortable with women who ask questions and think outside the box.
I believe many people who feel ostracized by their communities aren’t inferior or bad people, but they’ve been pushed out of environments that weren’t built to handle differences.
The spirit of wabi-sabi helps give me peace. With this mindset, I am reminded to always expect change and to see beauty, wisdom, and growth in what makes us human, imperfect, and continually evolving.
I help misfits like me release the trauma of societal rejection, release barriers that interfere with their ability to thrive, celebrate their unique gifts and embrace a healthy perspective.
Institutional, Cultural & Environmental Trauma
Another defining chapter of my life came through severe environmental illness caused by toxic mold, and a water damaged building resulting from negligence, and systemic failures within the mold and housing industries.
I faced years of extreme symptoms, displacement, loss of stability, financial hardship, and the terror of not being believed — all while navigating organizations that downplayed serious harm, denied responsibility, and shifted blame.
But this wasn’t my first encounter with institutional and cultural trauma.
I've also experienced trauma within family dynamics, social groups, work environments, and communities where the authority of those in charge, and conforming were prioritized over truth, safety, and well-being.
Upon hearing about slavery, the holocaust, the internment of the Japanese, and more as a young girl, I've been horrified by what large swaths of our society can do to inflict trauma on vulnerable populations. I have been passionate about understanding how and why cultures inflict trauma.
Today, I see patterns from these horrific periods of history unfolding in our culture, where many people feel dismissed, polarized, unsafe, and powerless within institutions meant to protect and serve — and where trauma is often deepened when those entrusted with care and responsibility fail to act.
I’m passionate about helping clients recognize these patterns, release the trauma they carry, and reconnect with inner peace, clarity, wisdom, and personal agency.
Toxic relationships
For much of my life I couldn't understand why I kept attracting toxic relationships. It forced me to study sociopathic personality types and patterns, and best methods for minimizing their impact. I also realized that at the core of it, I was valuing their feelings more than my own, and that I had to learn to love and defend myself in the same way I would anyone I treasured! I can recognize toxic behaviors more easily, and minimize their impact on me. Now that I've done the deep work, I'm happy to say that is not a pattern that continues to haunt me, and I'm passionate about helping others through this journey.
More than a Holistic Brain Health practitioner...
Outside of my work, I love learning, reading, meaningful conversations, civic engagement, creative projects, staying active through running, dance, strength training, and yoga, and caring for 3 cats, 1 bunny and a tortoise who bring both mischief and joy.
My mission:
My mission is to help people who feel different, dismissed, wounded by relationships, or harmed by broken systems heal trauma, rewire their brains, and create the health and life they love.
