Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) Therapists in San Luis Obispo, CA

I am a passionate nature enthusiast and licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT). I enjoy working with individuals, couples, and families who are interested in furthering their development and reaching a deeper understanding of their own, authentic being. I believe that we are more than our emotions and behaviors–we are complex people that require introspection and the honor of a unique and individualized path to healing. Through the exploration of stories and patterns (both current and past), I assist clients in coming into a deeper understanding and ease with the self.

TeIe-therapy & In Person Sessions. I know from working with people that there is a lot of suffering out there and many people don't know where to reach out for help. Working together, I can help you navigate these challenges. I work with Adults and Professionals dealing with imposter syndrome and work stress, College students and adolescents navigating school, relationships and the future. Adolescents and Adults working through anxiety, depression, and relationships. I have additional training and experience working with the LGBTQIA+ community and Couples Work. Reach out to me and we can talk further about how I can help.

I am a Psy.D, LCSW with +20 years of experience. I have lived and worked in diverse social environments (USA, UK, Brazil and Australia) and specialize in the treatment of anxiety, stress management, chronic pain management, codependency, compulsive overeating, pre-bariatric surgery evaluations and post bariatric surgery support.(1) In addition, my practice focuses on life transitions e.g. adjusting to college life, balancing school, career and relationships, aging, loss of health. I work with you to improve the quality of your life.

I am offering online sessions to support the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please contact me for more information.

You’re someone who strives to be the best version of yourself but struggles to know how to get there. This might present as anxiety, depression, anger, unprocessed trauma, or low self-esteem. You may need help with processing emotions or learning healthy coping techniques. Within the context of a compassionate space, you can gain tools for emotional regulation, increased insight, and self compassion. With this sense of safety, we can unpack specific traumas and heal your past to help you experience more ease and wholeness in your life.

I specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorders. After a thorough evaluation, I teach my clients about their anxiety and together we come up with an evidence-based treatment plan---then we work as a team to implement that plan. My new book ("Your Anxiety Beast and You: A Compassionate Guide for Living in an Increasingly Anxious World") guides people through my treatment approach.

The therapeutic process is unique to every person. I take a collaborative approach to therapy so together, we create a plan that fits for you. I primarily use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ( ACT ) with strong influences from Person-Centered therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I utilize therapeutic techniques that support you to learn tools that you can use to guide you in the direction you want to grow. The therapeutic relationship we will build will be used as an agent for change. As we work together, we will develop meaningful and reasonable goals that feel achievable and empowering.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist offering evidence-based treatment for anxiety and related disorders, obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, trauma and other stress related disorders, mood disorders, well as psychosis. My frame of work is based on CBT, including mindfulness based approach, as well as DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) to enhance distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness, and ACT ( Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), which is a values-based CBT focusing on willingness, commitment, and valued-action towards a meaningful, fulfilling, and vital life.

Life has been challenging. You're living in a state of multiple crises (both personal and global) and trying to navigate relentless responsibilities each day. You’ve endured injustices, trauma, and personal losses. You're trying to stay afloat, but sometimes you feel like you’re drowning. As Latina who's had many of these experiences, I recognize the significant impact they have on your mental health. My focus in therapy is to explore what barriers keeps you from having the quality of life you want. I believe that people do the best they can within the context of their lives. Support is available to guide you through this process.

I feel grateful for the opportunity to journey alongside you on your path towards personal growth and healing. I believe that the ability to create a life of meaning comes from within and that everyone is capable of reaching their most personal and intimate goals. I have found that therapy can be beneficial to those at any stage of life and enjoy working with people of all ages. I’ve provided child therapy to children in elementary schools, worked with adult survivors of domestic violence and those who live with mental health challenges as well as with elders transitioning through the final phases of life.

You wake up each morning feeling stuck and alone. Perhaps you know what is causing these feelings or maybe it feels like they came out of nowhere. Either way, these feelings overwhelm you and you’re just not sure what to do about it anymore. You notice that your relationships, work and even your ability to care for yourself are starting to be affected. You make plans to work out or make a positive change, but quickly give up because you just don’t have the energy. You are starting to lose hope that you can get yourself out of this.

We are meant to work together if you are in one of the following categories: 1.) The Frustrated Adult fed up with continuing to hold yourself back from improving your life. Your mind gets in your way of believing you can create a more fulfilling and satisfying existence, and your behavior stays the same. Or, 2.) The Couple who loves each other & wants to finally ACT like they love each other, and stop the awful cycle they’ve been stuck in for years. An endless feedback loop of the same infuriating fights and seemingly hopeless & tiring perpetual problems keep invading your love and joy.

I believe that self- acceptance and self-understanding are fundamental to meaningful change and that each of us has an innate healing capacity and ability to thrive. Sometimes, unresolved memories or traumas, anxiety, depression, self-criticism, identity issues, cultural conditioning or daily stressors can stand in the way of our sense of vitality and efficacy in life. I provide clients with a supportive, non-judgmental space (with a bit of humor when appropriate) to process psychological distress and get to the root of what is keeping you from orienting toward more authenticity and balance.

"Life's beauty is inseparable from it's fragility" Dr. Susan David. My work as a psychotherapist is deeply humbling and gratifying as I see others make profound and meaningful changes in their lives. I offer individual, couples and family therapy treating relational and transitional issues. I am culturally sensitive, respecting your unique story. I have a broad range of clinical experience. My background includes working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief/loss. I have a special interest and experience working with stressed and traumatized youth in the foster care and probation systems.

Maybe you’re struggling to understand why no matter what you do, it never feels like "enough". You sometimes feel like you don’t quite belong in the world, or like others have some kind of shield and map that you were never given. You might even be incredibly self-aware of your grief and trauma, but have difficulty feeling your feelings because you always had to push down your pain or focus on others. Maybe you’ve dealt with painful relationships that have made it difficult to trust yourself and your feelings. You might be dealing with overwhelming life transitions or trying to explore your identity and purpose.

No matter the person, we all have challenges in this life to varying degrees. It is my heart-felt desire to be there to walk alongside my clients as they use their strengths and resources to move beyond these troubling times. I believe it is through our darkest times that we may use our pain to begin a transformation process to move into being our most authentic selves. I am calm, humble, honest, genuine, quiet, compassionate, and authentic way. I offer a safe, non-blaming, non-judgmental space for my clients. I act as a listener, guide, teacher, supporter, and encourager as my clients find purpose, meaning, and healing.

Have you noticed that it's in the places you are supposed to be most relaxed (meditation, vacation, weekends, sleep) that your mind feels louder than ever? It might feel like the idea of letting your thoughts go is meant for “normal” people and that does not include you. Maybe you stand guard to keep yourself from your worst case, as if your attention to your thoughts keeps you from descending into unimaginable fear. All the advice you get from those closest to you feels so out of touch with the agony of daily doubts around the things that matter most. Anxiety is the bully that tells you are both incapable and at constant risk.

As a licensed psychologist, I specialize in working with children, teens, young adults and families, with specific expertise in treating anxiety-based disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). While I work primarily from a cognitive-behavioral (CBT) approach, I am dedicated to integrating components of other evidence-based treatments such as Exposure and Response Prevention (E/RP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ( ACT ) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) flexibly into my work for all clients.