Style

My style is warm and curious. I am an active listener and prioritize making sure you are understood in a deep way. I also engage actively by asking questions, supporting you in exploring themes more deeply, and offering skills and practices to deepen your healing and self knowledge.

Sometimes, just talking it through and connecting with yourself and a compassionate therapist can lead to deep healing. However, depending on your goals, you will also have opportunities to learn new strategies for changing or accepting difficult situations, emotions and thoughts. We can also pull from mindfulness-based therapies that support you in achieving deep, sustainable healing and growth.

Training and Orientation

I am a provider of the Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM), a gentle, somatic, consent-based model for supporting individuals with acute stress and PTSD. I’ve also completed Level One Training in Hakomi Mindful Somatic Psychology, and have studied and received training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).

I am certified through Postpartum Support International to provide specialized mental health support for individuals at any point in the perinatal journey. As part of the certification process, I have completed the PSI Perinatal Mental Health Certificate Course and the PSI Advanced Perinatal Mental Health Psychotherapy Course. I recognize that the perinatal journey is complex and support you wherever that journey takes you. Additionally, I am a Bring Baby Home educator, trained through the Gottman Institute.

I have substantial experience providing therapy to individuals in hospital and residential care for eating disorders, as well as in outpatient and community mental health settings.

Background

In addition to providing therapy, I have developed creative writing programs for residential and inpatient eating disorder treatment, for adults with homelessness and severe mental illness, and for adolescents. I have also taught creative writing at the college level and have led workshops in many other settings.

I have worked in the fields of education and mental health for over 15 years, and have been in private practice since 2017. As a therapist I draw from my diverse experience as a therapist, teacher and writer. I hold a Masters in Social Welfare from UCLA, a Masters in Fine Arts from CalArts, and a Bachelors in Comparative Literature from Brown University. I came to psychotherapy by way of teaching creative writing to students and community members. I value curiosity and the importance of healing, seeking and learning.  I am committed to understanding my clients in the context of their lives and cultures.

I love what I do and I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.

 

Memberships and Affiliations

California Society for Clinical Social Work
National Association for Clinical Social Work
Postpartum Support International