My life philosophy is simple. I approach life with dedication, integrity and a sense of humor. The latter always comes in handy. While a native Californian, I’ve been lucky enough to have lived in three different countries and have learned that no matter the land or language, people crave love and union. People are waiting to tell their story, be heard and accepted.

Is something in your life not quite working the way you would like? Are you feeling stuck? It can often be helpful to talk though some of the issues we are struggling with in a therapeutic relationship that feels understanding, safe, and compassionate. Human beings aren't meant to "go it alone". In fact, feeling alone is inherently traumatizing itself. I have been licensed for over 20 years, working with individuals, couples, and families to heal their relationships, and to overcome trauma, depression, and addictions.

Many people come to me with stories of pain caused by the loss of human connection or relationships. The ability to recover from trauma and neglect is about connection, rebuilding trust and vulnerability. Healing involves returning to a place where you had a sense of security and trust with others but most importantly with yourself. Together we will build a therapeutic relationship that will allow growth, change and healing.

It seems that life does not always take us where we want or had expected to go. I look forward to the opportunity to help you to find your way back to the path that feels most comfortable to you. I am especially interested in helping individuals and couples experiencing obstacles and conflict in their lives. The power to heal is within all of us and by partnering with a therapist we can achieve the changes that we know are within us, as individuals and as partnerships.

I believe that people experience healing in and through relationships. Brené Brown defines connection as “the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship”. Therapy can be a safe place where healing connections can be established and can be used to help individuals and couples learn to be who they were meant to be. I am especially passionate about working with perinatal mental health issues, helping clients navigate the grief and trauma that often comes with experiences such as infertility, miscarriage or unexpected birth outcomes.

Do you feel lost? Disconnected from yourself? Like you're just not "you" anymore or you're not sure who you are now? Maybe you are in an abusive relationship, just left one, or have undergone a traumatic event or major life transition. You need help rediscovering and reconnecting with yourself. You might feel disappointed with what your life looks like and where you are at. Depression and anxiety have taken the forefront in your life and you want a way back to feeling like yourself, a way back to feeling healthy and interested in life again.

I help people turn toward more emotionally satisfying lives by providing a safe, non-judgmental, and compassionate atmosphere that facilitates growth. Do you feel as though you are merely surviving rather than fully living? We often live and act out scripts that are no longer satisfying or, even worse, inhibiting and destructive. I can guide you through a process of self discovery that deepens your capacity to face current challenges and enrich relationships. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, life transitions, identity shifts, addiction, or family crisis, I believe the therapeutic process provides a rich landscape in which to heal.

I offer a warm, compassionate, down-to-earth, non-judgmental style that lends itself to creating a safe and trusting therapeutic environment for healing, growth and change. I work actively and collaboratively with you to develop an integrated approach to treatment that is tailored to suit your unique concerns and goals. We may explore historical and current emotions, thoughts and behavior patterns that are keeping you from more meaningful relationships, esteem and the quality of life you want. I encourage your feedback and am flexible to work with your changing needs.

As a therapist with a warm, relational style and a commitment to compassionate evidence-based interventions, my goal is to help you discover your true potential. By applying mindfulness and insight-based therapies, we can develop understanding into unworkable behavior patterns and unhelpful thoughts that may be holding you back from experiencing a meaningful and fulfilling life. Together, we will help you to create a life that is in alignment with what's most important to you.

I enjoy working with clients who are ready to figure out how to be happpy. Barriers to happiness are not limited to the mental realm and may include physical issues, sexual issues, relationship issues, and spritual issues. These issues interrelate and thus must all be addressed as possible roadblocks to happiness. The symptom is not the cause and is often key in figuring out the cause. I believe in the power of the human beings to heal themselves. I see my role as helping identify, educate, and move past roadblocks to this process.

I have worked as a psychotherapist for over 20 years. I meet you where you are, attending to the particular needs and goals you bring, helping you discover more meaning, wholeness, and pleasure in your life. The daily choices we make are often informed by our early life experiences. Despite our best efforts to change, we often find ourselves repeating unwanted patterns over and over. As we sit together, exploring your feelings, your stories, and listening to your dreams and longings, we will find ways you can open yourself up to the possibility of change, finding new energy and meaning.

Are you unable to reach your goals? Do you feel there are some obstacles in the way of your success? I have been in private practice for 20 years helping people to understand and overcome issues resulting from family of origin issues, life's traumas and repetitive thinking patterns that interfere with their goals. I have experience working with individuals, couples and families from many cultures, religions and alternative lifestyles. Not all therapists can work with all people, call or e-mail me today to evaluate if we are a good fit.

If you are feeling sad, anxious, or simply unhappy, you are definitely not alone. My philosophy is that people do the best they can with what they have, but sometimes anxiety, stress, grief, depression and relationship issues can contribute to our feeling stuck. My genuine belief is that change is always possible and begins with being motivated to do something different. My approach is both collaborative and supportive and will help you explore the changes you'd like to make in order to live a more meaningful and purposeful life.

Are you distressed? Anxious? Wish life felt more positive? Would you, on your own or with your partner, like to work through what's bothering you, improve relationships, and feel more confident in going for what you want? Perhaps you would like support to explore and understand what you are experiencing, and help to make some changes. Meeting with a therapist for time focused solely on you can help you on your journey. With warmth, professionalism, and gentle humor, I am eager to get to know and work collaboratively with you, to help you find your new path.

As a therapist, the connection between my client and me is central to the process. By fostering a safe and deep relationship, we can explore both immediate and historical issues that are causing suffering and pain. We will use a combination of mind, body and emotional understanding to explore the layers of the self. With increased insight and awareness, you will feel a greater sense of well being and satisfaction in all areas of your life.

Do you want to cultivate the ability to experience life with less burdensome patterns getting in the way, meet challenges with less fear and anxiety, and heal from limiting self-criticism and shame? I help you meet all of the parts of yourself with compassion and reverence, while harnessing your own innate drive towards transformation. Whether seeking help with relationships, depression, anxiety, grief, or life adjustments, we'll work collaboratively to support you at your own pace, and to do so with gentleness, dignity, and respect.

I have spent the last 15 years working as a school psychologist, adjunct professor, and contractor. I have served students from preschool to high school aged and worked in the full range of settings from public schools, charter schools, to non-public schools. I am a proud graduate of the University of California, Davis and California State University, Sacramento. In 2010, I obtained my License as an Educational Psychologist (LEP # 3165).

I have many years' experience in and a passion for treating infants, toddlers, preschoolers, children and adolescents and their families dealing with a variety of issues including the following: adjustment difficulties, trauma, divorce, attachment difficulties, social problems, depression, anxiety, behavioral problems, and developmental delays. I can provide psychological evaluations when needed to help identify areas of difficulty and of strength, and to guide treatment direction. I also provide psychotherapy to children, adolescents and their families.

If you feel unfulfilled in your relationships and find loss and change difficult, and if you want to get to the source of the patterns and blocks keeping you stuck in worry, anxiety, emotional eating, lost sleep, and a lack of faith, then I can help. I especially enjoy working with couples and individuals longing for a connection to their "soul's wisdom" so that they can feel more balance, joy, and fulfillment. I am an integrative, holistic mind-body-spirit psychotherapist. I offer techniques that will help you tune into your deepest self, the part of you that has your best wisdom and answers for what you are seeking in your life.