Therapists in Sonoma, CA

My experience over the past 20+ years has been in helping people cope and grow as a result of painful, confusing, conflict-filled or frightening patterns and/or life experiences. I am gentle and respectful and provide a safe and supportive environment that ensures emotional safety. In light of the the pandemic, I'm offering virtual, video-conference sessions over a HIPPA-compliant, online meeting site, Doxy.

I am a therapist because I want to help people who are wanting change. The goal of therapy should be about identifying real problems and working on effective solutions. This can be a scary process for clients, so I operate from a constant place of non-judgment and unconditional positive regard. My goal is to help you find your own solutions to your problems, with me serving as guide along the way. Therapy doesn’t need to be long term, scary, or overwhelming. I can offer a safe place to explore your problems, gain insight into your thoughts and emotions, and work together on finding effective solutions that are realistic and doable.

We often seek out therapy in the harder moments of life. These moments leave us feeling broken or stuck and can emerge as a result of anything from challenging personal relationships and life transitions to systemic oppression. I view my work as a therapist as an opportunity to enter these places with my clients—finding beauty in the shadows and guiding you back to remembering your inherent wholeness.

I successfully treat relationship breakdowns, alcohol, drug, eating problems, depression, dual-diagnosis, anxiety, trauma, bariatric surgery patients. Individuals and couples address how the misuse of substances impacts their lives in negative and unproductive ways. We seek solutions together to more satisfying lifestyles and relationships. I work with couples and individuals having difficulties in relationships, wanting to resolve problems rather than separating or divorcing as their only solution. I work to separate past hurts from present reality. As an Equine Therapist, I use horses and exotic farm animals as requested.

My therapeutic goals are to alleviate your pain while facilitating exploration and clarification of ways to live positively and more fully in relation to self, others, and work. Whether your emotional pain comes from a disconnected or unfulfilling relationship, depression, anxiety, trauma, childhood abuse or domestic violence, I can help you see beyond your current limiting patterns. Through our work together, I can help you connect the dots, let go, move forward with your intention, uncover your strengths and wisdom, and release the stories hidden in your body's memories.

Are you struggling with overwhelming emotions as a result of past or present trauma? Are you having sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, experiencing a heightened level of anxiety? Experiencing any form of trauma can effect the quality of your life in many ways. Unresolved early traumas can impact you into adulthood. Your mental health, physical heath and relationships with those closest to you can be impacted. Together we will work towards healing past and present traumas in order to achieve the quality and balance that you want in your life.

I believe we all possess innate strengths and have the potential to thrive and live meaningful lives; however, sometimes we get stuck. Major changes, life stage transitions, and stressors can become overwhelming, exceed the ability to cope, and prompt individuals, couples, and families to seek outside support. These times also hold potential for healing and growth. I use a non-judgmental, culturally sensitive, attachment, and systems lens to view and explore issues impacting the person, couple, and family; and collaborate to explore possible solutions. I work with children, adolescents, and adults of all ages and in all life stages.

Right now, you are all the ages you have ever been. You may have been judged, in pain, & so alone that it feels unbearable. These misunderstood emotions can make it hard to put words to your experience. I’m here to be with you during this process of revealing those hidden parts—leaving behind what no longer serves you. Holistic, somatic therapy can free us from self-limiting beliefs and move us into an embodied experience of loving ourselves and realigning with our goals and dreams. Together, we will explore how your unique experiences have shaped you. You have a right to exist & to create a purposeful life.

Holding the space for healing trauma and grief! We will work together, in a safe space, to create more stability in your life as you process through the trauma and/or grief that has compounded over the years.

Are you feeling exhausted and drained? Do you feel like you are facing life's challenges alone? Does it seem like no matter what choices you make about your health, things don't seem to get better? There are times in our lives when we feel burnt out and no longer feel empowered. I believe these times are an open invitation for you to explore what is going on within you that is getting in the way of you being your most genuine, vibrant and healthy self. It is a time to review what is working, examine why you are stuck and to discover your desires that have been long buried. I am here to help.

I specialize in working with trauma, attachment and relationship issues, dating, anxiety, body symptoms, divorce, grief and couples. Trauma can be overcome, relationships can dramatically improve, and physical symptoms can be effectively addressed. This is true even if you have been abused, neglected, traumatized, don't understand why you feel this way, have been living like this for years.

My role as a professional counselor is to help clients navigate life's challenges. This may include dealing with abuses from the past, coping with a difficult medical diagnosis, or facing challenging life transitions such as moving into adulthood, children leaving "the nest", or death of a loved one. I have a special interest in helping support caregivers, grief and loss, and supporting clients dealing with cancer. I also enjoy working with clients from the military community, active duty, veterans and spouses.

Do you often feel like something is holding you back from your fullest potential? Are you stuck in repetitive patterns that don’t serve you? Do you want to have a better relationship with yourself? In my therapy practice, we will feel into these questions as well as look at and build on practical ways to work with life’s many challenges. Through mindful inquiry, curiosity and kind humor, we’ll together create a space that is safe and expansive, that will allow you to find yourself in new and exciting ways.

Hi there! Thank you for taking the time to read this. Making the decision to start the healing journey can be a tough one, so I truly appreciate your consideration in having me walk alongside you. I support folx in recognizing their own resilience, exploring intersectional identities and sense of self, and navigating life's stressors and changes. Maybe you're experiencing a shift in your life. Maybe there are parts of yourself that you need support with reconciling and integrating. Or maybe you have experienced trauma and are ready to process it. Whatever it is, I'm excited to bear witness to your growth and be part of your journey.

As a therapist, I approach my work with warmth, humility, and curiosity. I view therapy as a collaborative experience, and as someone on my own mental health journey, I have a vast amount of respect and empathy for the folks I work with. While I prioritize the relationship and believe that all good work will begin with a strong connection, I do also like to focus on exploring concrete options for moving forward with a client’s goals. While therapy is certainly never easy, I do my best to create a therapeutic space that feels comfortable, non-judgmental, and hopefully at times even enjoyable.