As a Certified Gottman Therapist, I specialize in helping couples navigate their relationships by applying advanced skills to explore their stuck places and rejoin in the friendship that brought them together in the first place. Over my 15+ years as a Marriage & Family Therapist, I have witnessed the kind of pain that couples experience in the repeated and frustrating tension cycle of “Here We Go Again”. This perpetual cycle includes each partner having a dream and not being understood - causing for a stalemate and disconnection. I sit with couples that need to explore their cycle for greater clarity and have a goal of change.

My clinical approach draws from my experience in helping and giving hope to variety of populations for the past fifteen years. I am able to provide a safe space to explore who a person truly is without shame, guilt, or judgement. I focus on promoting quality of life and satisfaction with daily living by encouraging strength based theoretical principles through a variety of different techniques, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Rogerian Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness practices, positive psychology, and emotional intelligence.

My life passion is helping individuals, groups and families to achieve and maintain healthy relationships, work-life balance, and overall health and wellness. I have over twenty years of clinical experience having worked in various settings including public child welfare, the California State University system, and in private practice. My primary modalities include solution-focused, insight oriented therapies and cognitive behavioral therapy within a family systems framework. My areas of expertise include occupational stress, anxiety/depression, grief and loss and effective communication skills to promote healthy functioning.

Are you going through a difficult transition like the end of a relationship, attending college away from home, or trying to figure out what you want to do in life? Do you feel overwhelmed, depressed or anxious and resort to overeating, isolating, sleeping too much, or excessive worrying? Are you frustrated with the push for taking antidepressants but want to heal naturally? I can help you overcome these issues and feel more empowered so that you can bring the fun back into your life and relationships. You have all the answers within, I just help you get there!

As a therapist, I am passionate about walking alongside folks as they reveal their truths and vulnerabilities to themselves. I believe, and have witnessed that people are capable of long standing change with knowledge, support, and connection, and that therapy is a great place for that. You can learn new ways to manage life stressors, feel safe, gain confidence, and live a more joyful and purposeful life. I use cognitive behavioral, solution-focused, and strength-based techniques, while never ignoring the human element and connection where the real change happens.

I support couples who are in acute crisis as well as those who are slowly quietly drifting apart. I view relationships as an opportunity to wake up to, understand, and heal our deepest emotional wounds. Unfortunately once we move past the initial high of romantic infatuation, in love we often find ourselves stuck in a swampland of pain. It may even start to feel as if your partner is the biggest source of suffering in your life rather than your closest ally. My work with couples helps them move their relationship from chaos and pain to mutual respect and genuine care.

Thanks for visiting my profile here. I'm an experienced psychologist with a small part time practice in both San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria, CA. I conduct psychotherapy with individuals, couples, families, and groups. I work primarily with older adolescents and adults. I approach therapy from a gestalt perspective which means a level of depth and connection in therapy. Also, I am not on any insurance panels at this time. I also train and do therapy with other therapists interested in improving their functioning in life or their work. You can see more information about what I do on my web sight centralcoastgestalttherapy.com.

I specialize in assessing and diagnosing various learning, social, emotional, behavioral and developmental disabilities in children, adolescents and adults. I provide comprehensive psychological evaluations in the following areas: forensic (civil and criminal), public safety, academic, cognitive, and medical. I am a qualified medical examiner (QME) and POST-certified. In addition to psychological evaluations, I can assist as a neutral and independent expert witness or consultant.

Failing to get help, many divorced people regret that they gave up too soon. As a marriage specialist for over two decades, you can trust that you are in the care of a competent advocate for your marriage. Every marriage faces the power struggle -it's supposed to happen. Too many quit their marriage at this crucial time. Not giving yourselves the opportunity to work through this painful stage could be a tragedy because this very stage carries the seeds of true character growth and healing. An affair, dishonesty, conflict, or stress can rob you of the feelings of attunement.

As a depth oriented psychotherapist, I see therapy as a way to understand ourselves and our souls more deeply. We get curious about the unseen forces driving us using intuition and creativity. Some of the modalities we might use include Mindfulness, Breathwork, Somatic i.e. body awareness, Art Therapy, and Gestalt Therapy.

There are many different types of anxiety all of which have their own triggers and various symptoms, such as Generalized Anxiety, Social, OCD, Panic, and Phobias. My approach in treatment is collaborative and compassionate, while challenging and change-oriented. I provide evidence based treatment that is tailored to meet the specific and often unique needs of my patients. I am hopeful to help you find your footing and walk alongside you on your journey. My heart for you today is hope: hope for healing, growth, well-being, and peace.

As a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with nearly a decade of clinical experience, my goal is to provide a safe place where every client can confidentially explore and identify their core beliefs, understand and improve unhealthy thought patterns, and create a skillset to effectively communicate and enhance interpersonal relationships. From depression, anxiety, family conflicts, substance abuse and trauma, I will support you on your journey towards self-discovery and healing.

I love my work. It's a privilege to walk with people who are doing the best they can find way within themselves to understand their stories and owning their challenges and triumphs. There is no more humbling moment for me than hearing "I need help." It's brave. It's a revolution. My approach is strengths-based, solution focused, and client driven. I enjoy working with all people who are interested in telling their story and digging into the patterns and thoughts that lead to unwanted and unhelpful behaviors.

Since you found me on this site I would venture to guess something is awry in your life...am I right? Whether you are struggling with relationships, tackling your own personal demons, or just have absolutely no idea why you don't feel like your normal self anymore we can work together to figure it out and discover solutions that work for you.

This time of crisis can also be a time of deep healing. Painful feelings, experiences, losses, and transitions in your life and those around you can sometimes feel too overwhelming to walk through alone, my job as your therapist is to walk with you. Together we can create a path on your journey towards healing and wholeness. If you have felt deep sadness, then you also have the capacity to feel great joy. I am continually humbled by the human spirit and it's ability to seek integration and healing and I believe therapy can be one of the most powerful practices available to create transformations from the inside out.

Suffering is a common human experience, but I notice that the individuals who seek support during their difficult times are the ones who typically grow and thrive. It is one of my greatest joys in life to watch individuals pursue lasting growth and change. I appreciate the courage it takes to explore the option of therapy. As a therapist I provide a comfortable, safe environment for individuals, couples, and families to achieve their goals.

Everyone can benefit from additional support and guidance and my goal is to come along side others at any stage. I have experience working with children with emotional and behavioral issues, and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, and stress from work or school. I work to understand each individual's unique needs and strengths to overcome obstacles and challenges that prevent optimal mental health. I have experience working with college-aged clients to assist in alleviating the impact of various stressors that contribute to depression and anxiety and incorporate practical tools that can be used everyday.

At times we find ourselves struggling with an issue or relationship and are unsure of what to do next. Together, we can work to explore deeper stories about ourselves and others that can lead to new paths forward. Though the journey can be difficult at times, you do not have to navigate it alone.

We all go through things in our lives that are difficult. I believe it is through these struggles that we have the opportunity to grow. Oftentimes connecting with another person to help guide you can be the changing factor in transitioning from struggle to growth.