An area of focus in my practice is working with parents, couples and families in times of adjustment and transition, particularly in the early years of parenthood. Parenthood can be very demanding especially when you're trying to maintain a career and relationships with your partner, family and friends. I work with clients to give them communication tools and self-care strategies as well as increasing self-awareness and personal insight.

When your child is struggling with difficulties you feel their pain. I have worked with children and families in therapy for 16 years. I can help your child or adolescent navigate some of life's challenges and support you as a parent or guardian as you guide them. I also work with individual adults facing hardships and work with you to learn about yourself and find the path that fits you. I am compassionate and creative in my approach to therapy. I use Cognitive BehavioralTx in conjunction with a psychodynamic approach to guiding you through examining your thoughts and feelings.

I understand you want to change something; possibly many things in your relationships, in yourself, and in your work and that you are both fearful and hopeful about coming to therapy. I will help you to resolve underlying conflicts, relieve symptoms, and discover what feels meaningful and enjoyable. My personal style reflects who I am in warmth, compassion, knowledge, and authenticity. I work with individuals, couples, and families, using an interactive approach that focuses on long-term psychotherapy as well as short-term strategic problem solving. Through this unique process you will achieve your goals and live the life you desire and deserve.

I facilitate client's healing and growth by creating a real partnership and a safe environment as well as by being authentic, supportive, compassionate and empathic within a nonjudgmental atmosphere. I feel honored to do this work and privileged to help individuals on their journey.

Thank you for reading this. I am currently not accepting new patients into my practice during this pandemic. Connection is vital during this time of upheaval and unknown, and I encourage you to reach out and seek support. Having a background in grassroots and non-profit work as well as teaching, so I am fiercely passionate about equity, social justice and liberation for all people. The therapeutic relationship is unique and radical --- your words have exquisite power and we get to think together about what they mean.

You will feel it when you sit with me, this is my life's calling. I was lucky enough to walk the path of healing from an early age because of a devastating life trauma. This brought me to my deep understanding of the healing process. I am committed to accompanying you and catalyzing your journey to health, self-love, ease in relationship and empowerment in the world. My ideal client is going through change, loss, or questioning, needs support and desires a deeper connection to themselves, and satisfaction from their life. Check out my podcast The Healing Feeling Sh*t Show, a free course in emotional healing to sense how I work.

For the times you feel you have thoughts and feelings you cannot share with anyone, meeting with a therapist offers a contained space to reveal these parts of yourself. In my office, there is no right way to be in therapy. You are not the only person who might feel like a fraud in your own life.The unending thoughts about yourself or your life that are not so kind can stop. I welcome the full expression of the complexity of your emotions and experience.

Sometimes life presents challenges that are too difficult to manage on one's own and therapy can be an excellent choice to address those obstacles. Therapy provides a conversation that is not available in any other relationship. I invite people to explore and clarify what they want and together we identify the barriers and create attainable goals. We will work together to understand what really matters to you. My treatment style is warm, direct, humorous and deeply respectful While each individual client requires something unique to them, in general, I offer practical solutions while also using an insight-orientated approach.

I offer a genuine, compassionate and respectful relationship with my clients, so they can reach greater self-awareness and insight. My goal is to help each person I work with reach greater satisfaction with the overall quality of their life and attain the personal tools needed to strengthen intimate relationships. I view mental health similarly to physical health: when there's an injury or illness, seeking professional intervention, guidance and support can improve overall wellness.

Seeking therapy can be complex and multi-layered, so finding a therapist you connect with is essential. I work interactively and collaboratively to support you at your pace while helping you move toward the fullest expression of the life you wish to lead. I provide a safe holding environment where the changes you hope for can occur. The therapeutic relationship is the backdrop for investigation and integration, with openness, curiosity, and tenderness. With greater awareness and non-judgement, your capacity for self-acceptance expands. Ultimately this extends out to others in your life and propels you into a more satisfying and harmonious existence.

*PRACTICE UPDATE* I will be closing my practice in San Francisco in June of 2020 and relocating to the East Bay. I plan to welcome new clients to my East Bay practice beginning in Fall 2020.

There are so many reasons why people seek out psychotherapy. Maybe you are feeling trapped in a cycle of destructive patterns that are causing great suffering to you or the people around you. These struggles might be a result of: a painful relationship with your body and food, an eating disorder, a history of abuse, trauma or alcoholism in your childhood home or difficulites parenting your child or teenager. You may be seeking help for your child who is having trouble with relationships, school, drugs and alcohol, adhering to family rules or is not feeling strong about who they are as an individual.

Do you recognize some of these ways in which your or others' unhealthy anger gets expressed? Verbal abuse (yelling, cursing, insulting making threats, getting in people's faces). Emotional abuse (criticizing, putting down, intimidating). Physical aggression (hitting, shoving, slapping, kicking, choking, forcing sex). Property damage (breaking things, slamming doors, throwing objects). Internalization (stuffing feelings, seething, developing health problems, doing self-harm). Externalization (blaming others including intimate partners, bosses, co-workers, family, friends, the legal system).

.Do you want to change? Do you value experience? Through careful listening and an interactive style, I have used my 25 years of clinical experience to help people achieve things they didn't believe they could have. If you are willing to make a commitment and you are interested in developing a deeper understanding of yourself, then chances are I may be able to help you discover what has been keeping you from greater happiness and self-fulfillment. In the process, we'll build a relationship that can help you feel supported while we work together to change your life.

If you are feeling unhappy or stuck, struggling with relationships, work, and not getting what you want in life, our therapy sessions can help you move forward. I will help you listen to yourself better, understand what's getting in your way, and feel more confident in being yourself. For couples, I help you to slow down, to learn to listen to each other, to identify your own needs, and to communicate them to your partner. I help couples build empathy for each other, which can turn conflict into an opportunity for closeness and deeper understanding.

I think of therapy as like sanctuary - a place where there aren't distractions, where there is an opportunity to pay attention to what is important, in a spirit of kindness. Because of this, many individuals and couples find it to be enjoyable, and very relieving. Of course, since people do therapy to work on painful things, therapy itself isn't always easy. But at least things can be approached thoughtfully and skillfully, in a safe context, and this itself brings great benefits.

I support young people to find their voice, become more self confident, and communicate in a way that expresses their needs. Many times there is a disconnect between behavior and desires. I work closely to increase awareness of why these behaviors are happening and encourage an awareness to begin to identify triggers, with an overall goal of self awareness and self control.

Who doesn't experience challenges at some time in their lives? When it becomes too overwhelming to manage on our own, therapy can offer an opportunity to discover our natural abilities to heal and grow. Trained in several therapeutic methods, I am eclectic in my style and work with you to discover the most effective approaches to achieve your personal goals...so, come as you are. Through this supportive, warm, and non-judgmental exploration we will gain a better understanding of who you are and build on your assets.

Is an important relationship causing you pain? Do you want to make changes, but aren't sure how to begin? Call me. From our first session, I will listen carefully to you, ask timely questions and support you to find the tools you need and the motivation to use them. You don't have to do it all alone! Call me to day to see if we might work well together. Just the act of picking up the phone or sending an email can change the way you feel.

I aim to create a space where you feel recognized, understood, and safe enough to explore whatever pain or experience you need help with. My style is warm, collaborative, and compassionate. I use an individualized approach and tailor my interventions to your unique and specific needs. I combine down to earth, practical support with a depth-oriented approach focused on symptom relief and shifting long-standing patterns that have gotten in the way. I also focus on creating a strong therapeutic relationship in which each person I work with feels cared for and understood.