My approach to therapy is one of deep listening, gentle curiosity, and supportive empathy.

And while I believe there’s absolutely no room for me to be judgmental in our work together, I am all about being validating, caring and approachable. I’m down to earth and I show up authentically, so that you know you always have a partner on your journey of self-discovery and transformation.

And I recognize that while I may be the professional with extensive education and training, you are truly the expert of you.

I firmly believe you have the answers you need to heal yourself within you, and I strive to hold a space in which we can co-create an environment where you feel safe to explore all the topics that may be coming up for you in our work together.

This includes topics that are hard to talk about, like sex, relationship challenges, stuff around your self-esteem, and how you treat yourself.

If you’re interested in more clinical stuff, like the treatment modality and the framework with which I conceptualize my work, I practice from and I’m guided by a generally  psychodynamic and trauma-informed perspective, factoring into consideration early childhood experiences, relationship histories and attachment patterns, as well as your current levels of functioning and current areas of your perceived ‘stuckness’.

That being said, in our work together, my style is therapeutically integrative and intuitive, which means I use proven, evidence-based techniques from different therapies including psychodynamic, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical-Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), as well as mindfulness techniques and an insight-oriented approach when appropriate to help you gain more self-understanding.

In addition to the above modalities, I utilize Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), a revolutionary, evidence-based treatment that is a client-centered, rapid eye-movement therapy used for the treatment of depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, panic attacks, phobias, grief, low self-esteem, distress from relationship issues/infidelity, job-related stress and more. Clients consistently report relief, and even resolution of symptoms, in 1-5 sessions.

I’ll utilize the many tools I have in my toolbox to customize your treatment in our work together, as we work toward integrating all aspects of who you are so you can bring about the internal changes and greater insight that will aid you to deepen your own self-awareness and well-being.

And my goal is that you leave every session with techniques or something insightful to digest; that each session contains helpful actionable tools and tips, and/or that ‘aha’ moment.

I hold a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree in clinical psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, San Francisco Bay Area, a program accredited by the American Psychological Association.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of California, PSY#21097 – verify license.

Since 2000 I’ve worked in a clinical and supervisory capacity in numerous and varied mental health settings, and I’ve been licensed since 2006.

I have additional post-graduate training in the following treatment modalities:

• Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) [Master Accelerated Resolution Therapy Certified Practitioner-International Society of Accelerated Resolution Therapy]  
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) [EMDRIA-approved training]
• Internal Family Systems (IFS) [IFS-informed training in process]
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

My primary areas of treatment specialization for women of all ages include:

• Self-compassion and self-esteem improvement & perfectionism
• Anxiety and being an excessive worrier
• Feeling ‘meh’/ depression
• Being a people-pleaser and a constant “fixer” or “yes person”
• Healing from trauma or hardships faced in the past
• Relationship and communication difficulties
• A general lack of fulfillment

Associations

I’m a member of the following professional organizations:

• American Psychological Association
• International Society of Accelerated Resolution Therapy 

Outside of therapy

When I’m not doing therapy, here are some of my interests and things that I love:

• hiking mountains, walking in forests and visiting beautiful bodies of water
• vanilla ice cream
• traveling to new and far-flung places
• a good rain shower, especially at night
• dogs, especially mine
• binge-watching my favorite TV and streaming shows
• rainbows
• listening to books on Audible

Are you ready to embark on your transformative journey? I’m ready to partner with you! 

Let’s discover how I can help.