Raised in the midwest, I’ve always been a deeply curious, energetic, observant, creative and purposeful child. Little Nina could be found amongst thought provoking adults, having deep, pensive conversations, and concurrently singing her little heart out!

I consider myself multi-passionate. Consequently my work as a clinical psychologist, given its’ many facets, renders an ideal fit as a professional, given my interest in relationships and communication from an early age. I find deep joy in helping others explore presence in everyday experiences, and live deep purpose, in order to reach full potential. I feel grateful my clients trust me with their life and/or business journey, and that I can serve as a fellow traveler in their unique path towards finding themselves, their most unique and authentic entrepreneurial pursuits, and subsequently healing relationships and finding community in the process of this important and impactful work.

I received my undergraduate degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and double majored in molecular and cellular biology with a concentration in neuroscience, and Spanish. During this time I became curious about the function of the human body and brain, while completing medical research in chronic disease (e.g., how inflammation from type II diabetes impacts the brain and sickness behavior). Further, my Spanish language degree helped me to explore my interest in culture and ethnicity. My senior honors thesis researched the social dynamic of microenterprise in Latin America and how communities assist and support one another with entrepreneurial pursuits. Overall, learning Spanish and living in Spain offered me the opportunity to connect through language, and foster my value of community on an expansive level.

Following my college degree, I spent years working in medical research for a fertility medicine and minimally invasive surgeon. There, I continued my exploration of the relationship between the mind and the body, especially for those who were struggling with infertility. As the lead clinical research coordinator, I had the opportunity to direct studies on pelvic pain, embryo implantation, genetic disease, and the relationship between hormones and pregnancy. This position changed the trajectory of my career; I was inspired to learn more, outside of the medical field. Thus, I pursued an advanced degree in psychology in order to understand the bidirectional relationship between emotions and the body.

During and after my clinical training at Pepperdine University (see training/education section below), I kept one foot in research: I explored risk factors for emotional disorders in longitudinal studies, and neural mediators for social anxiety with Dr. Michelle Craske at UCLA; next, as the senior graduate researcher with Dr. John Briere at USC, I studied the genetics of PTSD in acute hospital trauma patients; and lastly, I researched and published with Dr. Phil Gehrman in the field of sleep medicine at University of Pennsylvania. These accomplished, supportive, and thoughtful mentors inspired me to keep my inquisitive nature in research, while exploring the benefits of mindfulness and meditation (e.g., reducing stress and anxiety) in my personal life. Additionally, I was encouraged to commit to a morning and evening self-care routine, in order to show up as my best self throughout my busy days. This inspiration would later become the crux of my social media presence.

It was through my own (continued) self-work, as well as that with my patients and research participants, that I began to understand the power of mindful self-compassion. Through our gentle approach to ourselves, we uncover unlimited compassion and love for the members of our shared community.

Throughout my training and within my career, I developed numerous population-based health programs within hospital settings to increase mental health integration in medical care. I advocated for the importance of offering psychoeducation and neuroscience education (e.g., pain neuroscience, stress response), as well as active behavioral coping strategies, that offer a feeling of agency in our healing. I was afforded the opportunity to develop and lead one of the first programs nationally to treat patients with chronic pain in a primary care setting, utilizing an interdisciplinary model/approach. The program succeeded, and continues to help countless Veterans manage chronic pain, as well as heal their relationships, enhance spirituality, improve sleep, healthy eating habits and physical activity, and process unresolved trauma in the body and mind. Through my program development leadership experiences, I understood that my strengths lie in building systems and projects without a roadmap, team building, promoting cohesion, organization dynamics, and addressing population-based needs.

Above my accolades and accomplishments, I am most proud of my sense of belonging to my personal community, and my membership and responsibility to serve within the universal collective.

In my personal life, I enjoy singing, meditation, breathwork, journaling, time in nature, as well as active forms of self care, such as yoga and dance. I am energized by reading books on functional medicine, spirituality and astrology. My primary value is community, and my personal strength is bringing the people I love together in order to enjoy and share life’s special moments.

I am an enthusiastic music and stand-up comedy fan. Accordingly, I am inspired by the idea that individuals from all walks of life can come together, in order to share these enjoyable experiences. It is my belief and intention that life outside of my profession is dynamic, and full of life!