Talking and insight alone isn’t always enough.

Why go with an evidence based and mindfulness trained therapist or life coach?

Because sometimes we need someone with expertise. I am trained in nine evidence based practices (EBPs) which are therapeutic interventions that have been researched, tested, and scientifically proven to work.

Somewhere safe with someone good.

My practice integrates the traditional therapeutic relationship with cutting-edge somatic and experiential interventions like mindfulness and EMDR to activate the body’s nervous system and the Mind’s neurophysiology to make healing happen! Trauma and stress are often stored in the body in non-verbal ways and my extensive training in cognitive and somatic modalities help treat, heal, and integrate all these aspects (verbal and non-verbal) in order to provide significant and resilient healing.

With over 15 years of experience as a counselor, psychotherapist, and life coach, I have used my training to specialize in:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Co-dependency

• Trauma

• Work & Life balance for high achievers

Human beings have literally evolved to survive best in groups; therefore, if something is too hard or overwhelming to do on your own, getting help is NOT a sign of weakness or failure. Getting help from the right person is a function of survival and a sign of courage and intelligence!

Not all therapist or life coaches are built the same.

I obtained my bachelors from UC Berkeley, my Masters from the University of Southern California, and am formally trained in:

1. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
**currently working on certification and actively practicing

2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

3. Mindfulness Practice and Meditation

4. Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)

5. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

6. Seeking Safety

7. Problem Solving Treatment (PST)

8. The Positive Parenting Program (Triple-P)

9. Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

However, my command of these practices serve a supporting role to my fundamentally humanistic and mindfully wholistic approach. What does that mean? It means I will never force you or your problems into a conveniently neat theoretical box! Ultimately, everyone has specific needs and goals, and your treatment with me will reflect that!

Helping others is my life’s passion; finding effective and efficient ways to do so is my life’s work!

Outside my private practice, the bulk of my work has been with English and Spanish speaking adults and youth, and the severely and persistently mentally ill (SPMI) population. For over 15 years I have facilitated groups, provided individual counseling, and mental health consultation as a Psychiatric Social Worker for the largest public mental health provider in the United States—the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LAC-DMH). I also currently work part-time as a crisis responder for the Psychiatric Mobile Response Team. Needless to say, there is very little I have not seen or treated in my line of work.

Good therapy can feel like work, especially at the beginning. However, I promise to support and work with you every step of the way until it (and life) start feeling easier! No one can “fail” counseling or coaching. Working for you means it’s my job to figure out how to help, and to also be honest when something isn’t working and why! Freeing ourselves of emotional pain, cognitive dissonance, or physical ‘ugh-ness’ will take personal effort and commitment. But I promise I will do my best to find you the right resources, tools and techniques to empower YOU the most!