Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapists in San Jose, CA

I have been practicing psychotherapy for 15+ years. I’ve learned that creating a safe and supportive space to develop trust is one of the most important elements for a successful therapy. That is my main goal.

It takes courage to look for a therapist, so I try to make it as painless as possible! I help people who might feel anxious, overwhelmed, or depressed or who are just stuck in patterns, jobs or relationships that are making them unhappy. If you feel like you are struggling in some way, whether it is related to your mood, relationships, or just with where you are in life right now, contact me, we can work together to sort things out. Send a quick email through here, then I will follow up with a call. If we are a good fit then we get started.

I am an experienced therapist offering a direct, supportive, nonjudgemental setting to individuals and couples. I work from an Internal Family Systems , Process therapy perspective using dialogue, parts work, role play, educational tools, mindfulness, visualization. My goal is to guide you into connection with yourself and your significant other ( if you come to me as a couple.) I invite you to know your internal landscape, meet your parts, understand your issues and communicate mindfully. I trust implicitly that you are moving toward wholeness and well-being; that your core essence guides us both in the work.

First, I want to say welcome and recognize your courage in seeking therapy. It is important to me to address each person in their entirety - including one’s physical, emotional, mental, cultural and spiritual self. My style of therapy is focused on what is showing up in the present while also acknowledging and honoring how past patterns impact you today. In my work I bring an awareness of and sensitivity to power, prejudice and oppression and the many impacts that they have on an individual’s experience of themselves and the world around them.

Do you feel as though your experiences have left you fractured, disconnected or lost? We can’t erase them, but together we can help you make sense of your history and heal painful emotional wounds. My treatment is based on trust and safety: understanding how these may be difficult for you and finding ways to develop them with me. With this foundation, my patients find that they are able to gain new understanding of and compassion for themselves as multifaceted individuals. Our therapeutic relationship will be dedicated to holding space for all parts of you and your story, especially those that feel too challenging to explore alone.

Someday is Today! As a therapist, I employ a holistic view. I respectfully explore behavioral, emotional, cognitive, physical, and spiritual aspects of my client's life. My style is warm and active. My work uses an existential-integrative here-and -now approach that is grounded in proven methodologies including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TEAM-CBT), Internal Family Systems ( IFS ), Attachment, and Choice Theory. I give feedback, suggestions, ideas, and psychoeducation. I am skilled in working with multi-disciplinary teams to help you get the fullest benefits from treatment.

You're doing your best to get through life and curve balls it sometimes throws at you. But that doesn't mean that its easy, and you definitely don't have to do it alone! If you are struggling, with the challenges of life, relationships, family stress, work stress, anxiety, addiction, co-dependency, life-transitions, self-esteem, boundaries, etc., lets work together to help you manage and navigate the challenges that lay before you. I practice IFS , motivational interviewing, solution focused, narrative therapy, Jungian, and often implement a spiritual approach when applicable.

Welcome and congratulations on taking the first step toward seeking support and healing. My work focuses on teens, young adults, women and pre-marital counseling. I am excited about the work I get to do. I really love empowering clients to make changes in their lives that leads them to finding fulfillment, building confidence, and strengthening their relationships. I work to create a trusting and safe relationship with my clients, placing great value on the uniqueness of each person.

Life can be hard, whether dealing with unexpected setbacks, longstanding problems, or just working hard to build a life of purpose and meaning. Some clients are dealing with stress, grief, and loss. Some clients are stressed by balancing a life that could best be described as “All Good Things, Just Too Many.” I believe our work is about more than treating dis-ease. It is about living fully, with ease, vitality, and wellness. Sometimes this starts with learning to deal with hard thoughts and feelings that can get in the way. It always involves getting clear about who you want to be and what matters most.

It may not feel like it right now, but change is possible. Through therapy, you can become aware of the unconscious decisions you are making each day that are unknowingly shaping your life. You may find that the unhelpful decisions all center around patterns meant to keep you safe. Together, we can work on increasing your sense of security and recognizing which patterns are no longer working. I am trained in EMDR, Internal Family Systems Therapy, and Sensorimotor Therapy. These modalities can aid you in going deeper and effectively processing the patterns and traumas that are keeping you stuck.

Do you struggle with managing emotions like anxiety, sadness, anger, or shame? Are you tired of feeling stuck in patterns that harm your relationships with others and with yourself? Is your unhealed childhood trauma or religious trauma impacting you negatively? Do you have a relentless inner critic that takes the joy out of life? If so, I am here to help. I provide compassionate, evidence-based support to aid in healing trauma, managing difficult emotions, and decreasing sexual shame. I guide people in compassionately reconnecting with themselves, helping them heal whatever is in the way of them living their most authentic life.

Life can feel impossible to avoid struggling and we often don't feel we have the skills to cope successfully through. Unfortunately, sometimes we don't have all the resources we need for a given situation. Parts of us take on desperate roles trying to help us to survive. This might look like anxiety, depression, PTSD, addiction, and relationship/family issues. I aim to help you process unresolved issues and feelings and find solutions.

Mental health challenges are due to the aftereffects of traumatic experiences. Trauma can place a strain on your family, work, relationships, and even cause issues with self-worth. I specialize in trauma therapy along with treating personality disorders, depression, mood disorders, anxiety, and addiction. All these disorders can look different from person to person, and that is where our therapeutic journey of empowerment and self-exploration begins. I concentrate on creating a safe space of growth and self-discovery through unconditional positive regard, emotional regulation, and guided activities.

I believe that we all have the capacity to heal, grow, find choice, and create meaning in our lives. When we are met with unconditional acceptance and tenderness, this capacity can flourish—no matter what we have been through in the past or are struggling with now. I see therapy as safe, spacious relationship in which you can experience yourself in new ways, develop curiosity and compassion towards yourself, and tap into your own unique healing wisdom.

Here you will find a compassionate & authentic space in which you learn to more deeply connect with yourself (and others), so you can finally discover what's behind your typical “knee-jerk reactions” & why your “go to” coping strategies seem to cause more distress than the original problems! Then we'll make meaningful shifts to uncover new and healthier ways to approach life and relationships. Clients often come to me for help with a broad range of concerns, like: trauma, anxiety, depression, pain, existential malaise, creative blocks, infertility challenges, grief, & family/relationship drama and communication difficulties.

I believe in connecting and supporting you in a compassionate way. I can help you find a resolution and create a positive change by working with the body – mind connection while applying methods such as Hakomi and IFS . When working together, we'll focus on the present moment as you head down the path to healing and health. With over 15 years in the field supporting adults, couples and families, I have developed the unique ability to bring to light your strengths while providing a platform of hope and happiness.

If you've been feeling sad, stuck, and stressed for too long, don't hesitate to reach out. I can help you find clarity and contentment. Our therapeutic relationship combined with mindfulness and experiential methods of psychotherapy, lead to real and lasting changes. Patterns which you once took on to cope with your family or stressors may not serve you anymore. Together we can access these old patterns of feeling and thinking that hold you back, and create new ways to be in your world. You can discover that life and relationships can have meaning and ease.

I integrate all my training in helping clients heal and transform their lives in the direction which honors living one's full potential/purpose. I work with individuals, couples and groups. The areas I have worked with include: mild - moderate anxiety, mild - moderate depression, stress reduction, communication skills, codependency, low self- esteem, relational issues, grief, social skill building, marital/divorce/relationship issues, women's issues, racial/ethnic/cultural concerns, meaning of life, life transitions, life purpose, identity questions, spiritual issues, and eco-related issues.