About me

Lifestyle choices are the foundation of health and well-being - just ask the folks of Ikaria, Greece (and those in Okinawa, Sardinia, Nicoya, and Loma Linda). I am interested in using a lifestyle medicine perspective to examine how lifestyle behaviors (e.g. diet, exercise, time in nature, substance use, social interaction) impact mental health and can be integrated into psychological treatment. Further, I am interested to examine how lifestyle behaviors cluster together in daily life - not only why people who exercise more tend to eat better, but why on days we exercise more than our average, we also tend to eat better than our average. Unlike some aspects of our environments and our genes, lifestyle behaviors are modifiable. My team uses both quantitative and theoretical research projects to help us understand lifestyle behaviors and lifestyle change. I have particular interests in the lifestyle behaviors of nature engagement, sleep, and social interaction. I’m interested in what it takes/means to live well for individuals, families, and communities.

I completed a PhD in Counseling Psychology at the University of Miami. I work as a researcher, mentor, educator, and licensed psychologist. In terms of research and mentorship, I lead the Lifestyle, Environment, and Flourishing (LEAF) Lab at Florida State University. In our work we often emphasize daily diary methods, where each participant in a study completes one survey a day for multiple days, along with other cross-sectional and longitudinal methods. We are also examining lifestyle interventions for improving mental health and well-being. I use R as my primary means of data analysis, with Mplus used for certain other tasks. As an educator, I have taught clinical practicum, human development, and social psychology. I have also taught undergraduate courses related to basic counseling skills, counseling theories, and lifespan human development. As a licensed psychologist I have worked in many clinical settings, including outpatient mental health clinics, Veteran Affairs hospitals, and community hosptials. I also supervise graduate student trainees in their clinical work. My favorite approaches to treatment are primarily third-wave cognitive and behavioral, with ACT being the preferred modality.