Life has taught me about the importance of community and connection, which can support the process of growth and expansion.
My desire to help others heal stemmed from my own experience as a teenager.
I was exposed to loss and grief for a prolonged period as a teenager. I reached a point where I needed more help. It no longer made sense to process my loss on my own. While I was slow to embrace the idea of sharing my internal world, I decided to start my own therapy journey in my 20s.
I quickly learned about the power of a therapeutic relationship. I started to feel a sense of calm that came from being fully seen and heard.
My early journey in therapy coincided with my education in Psychology. I volunteered at a women’s center and also with victims of crime. This propelled by decision to complete a graduate degree in social work.
I have been trained clinically to work with individuals, families and communities. I also have a background in advocacy and case management. I had worked in nonprofit settings and at the County for many years prior to starting my practice.
My work experience has given me a plethora of knowledge about human behavior, culture, and trauma informed care. In addition, I have gained many tools that help me to be a better therapist.
Wondering how we might work together?
I work from an integrative approach, weaving together the most effective parts of various types of therapy. I have a background in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), as well as mindfulness and body-based trauma approaches. I pull from other modalities such as Internal Family Systems and Motivational Interviewing.
I carry a trauma informed lens that allows me to better understand the context of your struggles. My goal is to create a safe environment where you can feel understood and make positive changes.
We will create goals that resonate with you and are based upon your needs.
We will work collaboratively so that you can develop more self-compassion. I will assist you in connecting to parts of yourself that you have deemed unacceptable, shameful or scary. I will also help you to develop tools to better manage your current life stressors.
You will have many different roles in your life.
I want to support you in understanding how each role and part of your life has contributed to who you are today and who you will become.
In addition to being a therapist, I have other roles that play a part in my work.
I am a life long learner. I am trained in equine assisted psychotherapy and truly believe in the power of animals. I continue to participate in ongoing trainings to keep my work and knowledge base current and relevant.
Outside of the therapy office, I enjoy reading and listening to podcasts. I love being out in nature, camping and hiking with my family and my dog. I have played soccer for many years and enjoy gardening.
I bring all of my professional and personal knowledge to my practice. It is a joy to do this work. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to walk along side others and provide guidance and care.
I look forward to learning about who you are.
Learn More About How I Can Help You
You are worthy of living your best life. You deserve guidance and support. Allow me to walk alongside you, as you navigate this next path.
Individuals
Create a life that includes increased self compassion, meaning, and self awareness
Young Adults
Navigate your relationships and life choices with new tools, awareness, and purpose.
Families
Develop better communication as a path to creating more understanding and peace.
FAQs
In my opinion, there isn’t a bad time to start therapy. If you are considering therapy, it is probably a great time to see a therapist.
My bias is that it is best to start therapy before a crisis, but therapy can be helpful during challenging times. You can learn to navigate the situation differently and learn new coping skills to get through the ups and downs.
Finding the right therapist for you is important. There is evidence that the relationship you have with your therapist has a large impact on the effectiveness and outcome of therapy.
You might need to talk to a few therapists before finding one that works for you. It is important to feel supported, guided and also challenged. It can be helpful to ask questions of a potential therapist, including about their training and their approach to working with you.
As a therapist, I will look at your situation objectively. I will offer a safe and confidential space for you to process and explore issues and goals.
There are professional boundaries and ethical guidelines I will follow regarding confidentiality that a friend or family member is not bound by.
In addition to meeting with a therapist, support from family and friends can be incredibly helpful when safe and warranted.
We would determine the frequency of your sessions together. Some people attend therapy weekly, while others attend bi-weekly. We can always reevaluate and modify the frequency based on your needs and how you are doing.
I am considered an out of network provider. This means that I do not bill insurance directly, but I can provide you with a monthly super-bill to submit to your insurance company.
Many insurance companies reimburse for out of network sessions. I would encourage you to ask your insurance company about reimbursement rates to see what your options are.
License:
Licensed Clinical Social Worker — LCSW #71329
Education:
- Masters Degree in Social Work — San Jose State University
- Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology — University of California, Santa Cruz
Training and Experience:
- Certified Trauma Professional Training
- Sleep Coach Training – UC Berkeley
- CBT for Psychosis – Felton Institute
- CBT for Eating Disorders – Stanford University
- Maudsley Method / Family Based Treatment for Eating Disorders – Stanford
- DBT training and group facilitator
- Field Instructor for MSW Interns – San Jose State University
Get in touch with me
