Therapists in Ventura, Palo Alto, CA

Working together, we will co-create markers of success on the path towards your therapeutic goals, anchoring our work both in the evidence base and the stories and realities of each of our lived experiences. I am trained in modern trauma-informed and culturally-affirming behavioral therapies, including ACT, CBT, DBT, MBSR, and schema-based work.

I help clients explore their values, gain self-understanding, and develop practical skills to cope with mood disorders (like depression and anxiety), trauma, stress, chronic disease, and life transitions.

As a psychologist working with adults, couples, and families, I specialize in the treatment of eating disorders, body image concerns, anxiety disorders, life transitions, and related difficulties. My approach is integrative, individualized, and some may say irreverent. I aim to help my clients create a life worth living and use therapeutic approaches that are supported by research. Because no two people and no two families are the same, I tailor treatment to my clients needs and circumstances. To help clients track progress towards their treatment goals, I use assessment to inform and individualize treatment.

I use evidence-based therapy to treat a range of concerns including race-based stress, post-traumatic stress (PTSD), anxiety, insomnia, depression, loneliness, and interpersonal difficulties. In meeting each of my clients, I apply the dialectical balance between acceptance and change, holding firm that “at each moment we are all doing the best we can, and we can also do better”. As a radical behaviorist, I work primarily from Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Functional Analytic Psychotherapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, in order to enable my clients to find ways to live more fully.

By nature, people thrive with a sense of meaning and purpose in their lives. Oftentimes, a lack of confidence, difficult circumstances, trauma, anxiety, depression, and substance use contribute to suffering and hold people back from living a life that feels fulfilling. I specialize in developing a strong therapeutic relationship with clients, exploring values, goals, and identity, and working collaboratively to develop an understanding of what the client wants their life to be about, the barriers that they are experiencing in getting there, and to provide tools and skills to move through these challenges.

The decision to enter therapy can be a difficult one. For many, recent and/or previous stressors have begun to feel insurmountable, and seem to be getting in the way of living a full, meaningful life. I strive to provide a safe, supportive, and accepting atmosphere in order to truly understand each individual's lived-experience. I also work together with my clients, flexibly tailoring evidence-based interventions to best meet their unique needs and goals. In doing so, I help clients to develop greater awareness of their strengths, build resiliency, and learn new strategies for overcoming emotional suffering.

Whether you know exactly what you’d like to change, and are struggling to do so, or whether you aren’t sure where to start but know you need support - I’m glad you’re here and I’m ready to meet you where you’re at. My goal is to team up with you to help you make meaningful and lasting change, according to your own vision for your life. My approach to therapy includes humor, authenticity, and a sense of common humanity - I believe we are all trying our best with the struggles of life, and we can also grow and improve our skills to manage them.

Individuals often come to therapy because they are having difficulties in relationships, coping with work-related stress, or managing intense emotions related to past experiences. They may be dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, or substance use which they feel has become unmanageable. My aim as a therapist is to help you reconnect with your own strengths and empower you to overcome your challenges, to see things in a new way, or perhaps, to identify your goals and values. I view therapy as a very collaborative process in which we will work together to help you build the life you want to live.

Many of my patients are struggling with anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, grief/loss, life transitions, and relationship challenges. My therapeutic approach is warm, genuine, and engaging and often combines psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and attachment perspectives within a safe and collaborative therapeutic relationship. I am passionate about helping my patients to identify their inherent strengths and motivations for change while also bringing awareness to obstacles that may be blocking them from experiencing lives that feel fulfilling and meaningful.

I believe that the mind and body are interconnected. We often experience emotional pain when our bodies are struggling with illness or medical problems. As a therapist with specialized training in health psychology and behavioral medicine, my work emphasizes this mind-body connection. My primary areas of expertise focus on the treatment of insomnia, coping with illness, sexual health, chronic pain, and stress management in adults. Additionally, I help individuals cope with psychological concerns, such as anxiety, depression, adjustment to life transitions, and relationship difficulties.

I view therapy as an opportunity for individuals to enhance their overall well-being and engagement with their lives. I create a warm and safe environment and work collaboratively with clients, taking a holistic approach. I have specific expertise in treating insomnia, anxiety, and depression. I am also passionate about working with families of children with special needs. I practice evidence-based psychotherapy, drawing from models including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Within the context of a strong therapist-client relationship, I help individuals to develop goals, consistently move toward these goals, and track progress.

I provide evidence-based care for a range of concerns including depression, anxiety, work/life transitions, eating disorders, and relationship difficulties. I am also passionate in delivering care that focuses on women's wellness areas such as pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. I have a background in health psychology and work with individuals coping with new medical diagnoses, health conditions, and chronic illnesses.

Therapy is a highly personal and unique process for each person. I strive to meet you where you are at in your life with a genuine and non-judgmental approach. We will work together to collaboratively identify where you feel stuck, to explore your values and what brings your life meaning, and to gain a deeper understanding of yourself both individually and in relation to others. We will also seek to increase your sense of self, mindfulness, and self-compassion in the service of pursuing a life that brings you authenticity and purpose.

I use evidence-based, cognitive behavioral treatments to help people recover from post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression. My goal as a therapist is to work collaboratively with you to understand the obstacles that are preventing you from living the life you want. We will work together to develop a treatment plan and engage in the steps that will lead to a fulfilling life. Our primary goal during our work together will be to help you gain the skills you need to be more successful in your personal and professional life.

I am committed to helping you get unstuck and create a more fulfilling life. I will help you to overcome obstacles, build on your unique strengths, and teach you new skills needed for long-term change. My approach integrates a warm, thoughtful, and direct style with well-researched, therapeutic techniques. I have a strong background in treating trauma/posttraumatic stress (e.g., family/community violence, unexpected deaths, war) and substance use/addiction.

Therapy is a deeply personal and challenging process. As a therapist, I aim to create a space where individuals moving through difficult periods of their lives can explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and learn new ways of relating to them. I strive to be a non-judgmental, compassionate, and empathetic partner in your healing journey. I specialize in working with LGBTQIA+ folks, individuals dealing with trauma, mood disorders, anxiety, chronic pain, and challenging life transitions.

I specialize in treating the unique mental health needs of women. I am passionate about the interplay between hormonal, psychological and environmental influences on women's health and overall sense of well-being.

Building strong relationships with clients is one of the unique privileges of this work. I work with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, emotion dysregulation, interpersonal challenges, life stressors, and issues related to athlete mental health. With every client, I attempt to identify an effective way to discuss stressors that is both non-threatening and developmentally appropriate. I am committed to implementing tailored, evidence-based interventions, to affect meaningful change. In creating a collaborative environment characterized by genuineness and authenticity, I hope to empower clients to achieve their goals.

Sometimes it takes the gentle mirroring of another person to help see what is no longer working in our lives. Habits formed to survive difficult childhoods may be wrecking havoc. Communication styles may be sabotaging love. We may feel overwhelmed in parenting, or facing a big life transition. I work closely with my clients to increase communication skills and develop greater personal awareness. I teach nervous system regulation in order to stay calm and effective during conflict, difficult conversations, and life transitions. From therapy you’ll learn to operate from wholeness and authenticity, and gain acceptance for self/others.