Philosophy

We all want to be living our best life, a life we love. And we set out to do that. Then the years go by and when we look around, sometimes we see that so little feels the way we want it to. I believe looking at our backgrounds and life experiences, our struggles and our pain can help make sense of the decisions and choices that led us here. Looking for patterns of thought and action that shape our current world can create the opening we need to make change. I offer the space where thoughts and feelings can be untangled with empathy and safety. I want to collaborate through the process of self discovery to ensure a sense of connection while moving through uncharted personal territory. It is vulnerable to begin to explore ourselves, but there is also so much that we can learn from what is revealed. With these revelations and the desire for progression, we can make the changes necessary to grow and thrive…to flourish. 

About

I graduated from the University of California at Santa Barbara with a degree in psychology and received my masters degree in psychology from Phillips Graduate University. My graduate work included an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy and a concentration in Mindfulness and Interpersonal Neurobiology. My practice currently includes children and adolescents as well as individuals and couples. I work a great deal with individuals who have experienced early childhood trauma, and as a result, struggle with adult depression and/or anxiety. I see individuals who are first generation Americans struggling with acculturation issues and feelings of disconnection from their families as they experience the pull between two different cultures. Prior to becoming a therapist, I worked in the field of medical oncology. My direct interaction with cancer and its impact on patients and their families shaped my understanding of the preciousness of our bodies, our minds, our time and the importance of pursuing the life we dream of.

I love working with clients to achieve healthy and ideal communication. Cultivating the ability to speak openly with kindness, empathy, and patience, will increase the likelihood of being heard. Adding this depth and vulnerability to communication can strengthen relationships by increasing intimacy and reducing feelings of disconnection and isolation. My work with kids is extremely personal to me. Kids are tremendously vulnerable; they are experiencing so much at all times. They need help identifying and understanding their feelings as well as consistent exposure to healthy and adaptive coping. In addition to their vulnerability, their deep sensory perception and high attenuation to caregivers can be an overwhelming amount of information for their young minds to process. Helping parents understand what their child is communicating and how best to appreciate the unique needs of their unique child is an opportunity that I value deeply.