About
The therapeutic process starts with a conversation.
First things first, when you call to inquire about therapy, I will do my best to answer. If I’m with another client, I will listen to your voicemail at my soonest opportunity and return your call within the same or next business day if it’s after hours. I make every effort to respond promptly because I recognize that time is of the essence when someone is in emotional pain.
Once we connect by phone, I will inquire about what’s troubling you and causing you to seek therapy at this time. This information helps me determine if I am the right therapist to help you. If not, I will offer you some helpful referrals.
I will also leave room for you to ask me questions about the process of my therapy approach. If we agree that it’s a good fit, we will schedule your first session.
If we are a fit, therapy will begin.
Our first session is when I learn even more about you and your life experiences, what happened that caused you pain, and what you still carry around with you.
You may reveal painful experiences and negative internal dialogue that interfere with your life and impact your relationships, causing you to feel stuck.
Together, we will go through a comprehensive intake assessment, at which time I will ask you a lot of questions about your background history, what’s going on in your life today that’s causing you distress, and what goals you want work on in therapy.
For some people, the process of exposing their vulnerabilities to someone new might feel intimidating and uncomfortable. For others, it can feel effortless and like a sense of relief to share the details of their innermost thoughts and life experiences – like a weight lifted off their shoulders.
This time is yours, and you are in control of this process.
Whether you find opening up challenging or accessible, the most important thing for you to know is that you are in control of the process. We can slow down or take time to pause and breathe at any point. Remember, you don’t have to go through this alone.
Together, we will embark on this journey and develop a plan to achieve your goals. This step in your journey is essential as it lays the foundational work that sets the stage for your healing process.
Because I often help people uncover and embrace the hidden and challenging parts of themselves and their lives, I use evidence-based emotional regulation techniques from a trauma-informed approach. This approach enables you to develop boundaries and self-compassion, allowing you to feel safe, empowered, and fulfilled.
You also get to decide what you want to hold on to and what you want to let go. Through gradual behavioral changes, you will notice how you begin to respond to life’s challenges differently and meet life in a new way.
Change will occur.
This change happens as I listen carefully and pay close attention to what you identify with inside. I very gently reflect on your patterns of thinking and habitual ways of responding to life that no longer serve you. I help you learn how to attune to yourself and become more self-aware.
Once you become aware of your reactions to yourself, others, and life, change can begin. As you feel more in control of your behavior, you will start to identify more and more with utilizing your strengths to make the changes you desire, whether they be interpersonal, within your relationships, at work, or in school.
As I recognize these a-ha moments, I might encourage you to practice new ways of thinking, talking, or behaving with yourself and me. I might also encourage you to practice these new skills throughout the week.
Life begins to change…
As we work together, you notice that life begins to change. Maybe it feels different and more enjoyable.
Gaining confidence and the ability to make decisions may become more effortless for you. You may feel more connected to yourself and notice your relationships have become more meaningful.
Instead of letting what happened in life define who you are, it’s now possible to identify with your strengths and resilience.
About Me
My experience and training are broad.
I bring an extensive background in supporting individuals and families across various settings.
I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Marin County, California, graduating in 2006 with a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of San Francisco.
After college, I started my career training and working at the Autism Society and the Asheville TEACCH Center in Asheville, NC. I completed 3,000 hours of supervised work experience and received my licensure after passing the LMFT California Law and Ethics Examination and the LMFT California comprehensive clinical examination.
For more than 15 years, I have worked with adults, children, and families in outpatient, inpatient, and private practice settings.
My experience has included working in residential treatment programs with children, adolescents, and families struggling with self-harming and suicidal behaviors, mood and behavior disorders, and post-traumatic stress.
I have also worked as a lead preschool teacher and most recently served as the Clinical Director at ABC Special Start in Marin County. This agency supports families and children (0-3 of age) at risk for developmental delay and emotional struggles.
In a supportive and empathic environment, I help children, adolescents, and adults address anxiety, sadness/depression, grief and loss, major life transitions, shame, ADHD, trauma, PTSD, chronic pain, and child/parent struggles.
My approach to therapy is strengths-based.
Many of my clients face anger, anxiety, or stress issues, making it difficult to perform daily tasks. I also support individuals and families as they process trauma or experience behavioral challenges.
A strengths-based approach helps clients harness their innate strengths to further their mental health journeys. I help clients learn to reflect on their inner thoughts and feelings, addressing the harmful cognitive distortions that often result in anxious feelings. I collaborate with clients to set mental health goals and set out clear, bite-sized next steps to reach those goals.
Life outside therapy improves my therapeutic approach.
When I am not busy helping my clients work through their challenges, I spend a lot of time in nature, hiking, biking, and gardening with my family and friends.
I have practiced meditation for 15 years, which helps me be a more compassionate listener and deeply empathic – creating an atmosphere where clients feel respected and safe.