I strive to create spaces and opportunities for others to heal and rebuild their lives. My passion stems from the belief that recovery is possible and that the human spirit is resilient. I believe in weaving different therapeutic interventions with a strengths-based and solution-focused approach to help my clients achieve their goals. No challenge is too big or too small and there is no shame in reaching out for help as we all go through life transitions. I believe in supporting each person’s capacity for self-awareness, clarity, and empathy in order to build healthy, meaningful and productive lives. The human condition is both profound and surprising. People are often more resilient than they realize and I hope to draw this out of people in our work together.
Who I work with and my specialty: I have extensive experience working with individuals who have suffered from neglect, abuse, and violence. Many individuals struggle with the effects of depression, anxiety, and post traumatic stress because of life circumstances. I am trained in Attachment Focused EMDR and utilize this modality with clients who have felt "stuck" trying to resolve trauma through other therapies. I also specialize in working with individuals who identify as 1.5 or 2nd generation immigrants and are often coping with social pressures and cultural demands. Along the same lines, I often work with individuals who feel unheard and struggle with discrimination and identify as part of an ethnic-minority and/or LGBTQ community. I work with couples who are interested in pre-marital counseling or are currently experiencing distress in their relationship.
My professional path: I began my journey providing crisis counseling and continued to serve those experiencing trauma and stress throughout my 20 year career. With a multitude of experience in crisis settings, I have a passion for helping those in moments where they need support the most. I continue to provide consultation to organizations and companies throughout Southern California and provide clinical consultation. I completed my undergraduate degree in Social Ecology with a minor in Women’s Studies from UC Irvine and my Master of Social Welfare from UC Los Angeles.
Licensure: Licensed Clinical Social Worker CA State BBS LCSW 69963
Areas of Expertise:
Acute, Chronic, and Childhood Trauma
Couples Therapy
Depression
Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence
Gender Support Counseling
Grief and Loss
LGBTQIA
Life Transitions
Mood Disorders
Pre-Marital Counseling
PTSD
Relationships
Spirituality
Survivors of Abuse and Trauma
Victims of Crime
Women’s Issues
Therapeutic Modalities used:
Attachment Focused EMDR (trained through Parnell Institute)
