About
Dr. Nina
Raised in the Midwest, I was a deeply curious and observant child, often drawn into thoughtful conversations with adults while simultaneously expressing myself through music and creativity. This early curiosity about human connection, communication, and meaning became the foundation of my life’s work.
I consider myself multi-passionate, and psychology—particularly the study of relationships—has offered the perfect integration of science, creativity, and service. I find deep fulfillment in helping people cultivate presence in their daily lives, live with purpose, and build meaningful connections with themselves and others.
A Scientific Foundation Rooted in Human Connection
I earned my undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where I double majored in Molecular & Cellular Biology (with a neuroscience concentration) and Spanish. During this time, I conducted medical research examining how chronic illness and inflammation affect brain functioning and emotional health, while also exploring culture, language, and community through immersive study and research in Spain and Latin America.
These experiences shaped my appreciation for the mind-body relationship and the role that community and communication play in human well-being.
Clinical Training, Research & Thought Leadership
I completed my doctoral training in clinical psychology at Pepperdine University, while remaining actively involved in research at institutions including UCLA, USC, and the University of Pennsylvania. My work has examined emotional disorders, trauma, PTSD, and sleep health, resulting in first-author and collaborative publications in behavioral science.
Throughout my training and career, I have been inspired to integrate rigorous science with compassion, mindfulness, and self-care—principles I continue to embody personally and professionally.
Leadership in Integrated Mental Health Care
In hospital and medical settings, I have developed and led population-based mental health programs focused on integrating psychology into medical care. I helped design one of the first interdisciplinary primary-care programs in the country for individuals living with chronic pain, emphasizing education, agency, and holistic healing of the mind and body.
Teaching, Media & Community
I have served as Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Diego, teaching psychology students and medical providers. I am also a published author, public speaker, and wellness media expert, and the co-host of Baggage Drop, a podcast that reached #2 on Apple Podcasts.
Above all professional accomplishments, I am most proud of my commitment to community—both personal and collective—and my responsibility to contribute meaningfully to the world around me.
Beyond the Therapy Room
Outside of my work, I enjoy singing, meditation, breathwork, journaling, yoga, dance, and time in nature. I am energized by learning about functional medicine, spirituality, and integrative wellness. My core values are connection and celebrating life’s beauty, and my greatest joy is bringing people together to share meaningful moments.
Education and Clinical Training.
Clinical Training:
Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center
University of Pennsylvania
University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)
University of Southern California (USC)
Pepperdine University
Education:
Pepperdine University
Doctor of Psychology
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Double Major: Molecular and Cellular Biology with concentration in Neuroscience, and Spanish
Dr. Nina completed advanced clinical training within some of the nation’s most prestigious medical and hospital systems, with a strong emphasis on evidence-based individual and couples therapy. Her clinical experiences span a wide range of medical and psychiatric settings, including inpatient psychiatry, dual-diagnosis treatment, behavioral and sleep medicine, primary care, emergency and post-acute trauma care, obstetrics and gynecology, gynecologic oncology, reproductive endocrinology, nephrology, cardiology, geriatrics, and dementia care.
Across these settings, Dr. Nina provided both individual and couples therapy, frequently working with partners navigating complex medical, emotional, and life stressors. Her couples training emphasized communication, emotional regulation, attachment dynamics, and the impact of stress, trauma, and health conditions on intimate relationships.
Central to her clinical approach is helping clients understand the bidirectional relationship between mind, body, and spirit, and how this integration influences self-connection, relational functioning, motivation, and burnout prevention. This foundation supports individuals and couples in pursuing values-based goals while maintaining emotional and relational resilience.
Teaching, Mentorship & Couple Therapy Training.
One of the great honors of Dr. Nina’s professional career has been her role as Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Diego. In this role, she taught and supervised predoctoral interns and postdoctoral psychology residents, with a particular focus on training clinicians in evidence-based couples therapy.
Dr. Nina is deeply committed to mentorship and believes in the ripple effect of high-quality clinical training—recognizing that clinicians she trains go on to shape the field through ethical, culturally responsive, and technically skilled practice. She has supervised emerging psychologists in the assessment and treatment of relational distress, helping them develop confidence and competence in working with couples.
In addition to training psychology trainees, Dr. Nina has educated medical residents and primary care providers, supporting the integration of mental health and wellness strategies into medical practice. As a graduate teaching assistant, her favorite courses to teach included psychopharmacology and psychophysiology, further strengthening her ability to collaborate within interdisciplinary medical teams.
As a licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Nina strongly advocates for the integration of behavioral, cognitive, and relational interventions alongside medical treatment. Her approach emphasizes gold-standard, interdisciplinary care that addresses the whole person—and the relational systems in which they live.