ABOUT ME
I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist who offers holistic psychotherapy to individuals and couples. I am passionate and dedicated to this work and my relationship with my clients. My approach is warm, compassionate, interactive, and lively. I am particularly interested in helping you become more connected to your sense of purpose and authenticity. Above all, I am curious about your unique needs and collaborate with you to continually address and meet those needs.
I have worked with a variety of issues, but my primary focus is treating relationship troubles, anxiety, depression, and women's issues. Some other issues I have worked with include family concerns, postpartum issues, parenting, fertility/pregnancy, grief/loss, infidelity, trauma, occupational/life transitions, low self-esteem, and substance abuse.
I received my Masters in Integral Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies. In addition to my private practice, I have worked with at-risk adolescents and children in the public school setting. Prior to my psychotherapy career, I was involved in the non-profit, education, and youth development sectors.
MY APPROACH
You may be wondering what is holistic therapy. By "holistic", I'm implying the inclusion of body, mind, and spirit in our sessions, as well as the invitation to look at the "whole" person by discovering and integrating all their various parts. To incorporate this holistic element, I work experientially and in the moment. This could include guided imagery/visualization, parts work, awareness exercises, role plays, and mindfulness exercises.
My practice is grounded in Gestalt therapy and Humanistic orientations. I also offer EMDR, a technique originally developed for trauma/PTSD, but can be effective for a variety of issues. For couples work, I am mostly influenced by AEDP for Couples and Dan Wile's Collaborative Couples Training.
I also pull from my life experience as a daughter, mother, wife, nature enthusiast, yoga practitioner, and client in both individual and couples therapy. I believe clients hold their answer and simply need the right support and guidance in uncovering it.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS & TRAININGS
Member of CAMFT (California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists)
Member of San Francisco CAMFT (California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists)
Founding member of Bay Area Gestalt Institute
EMDR Basic Training Levels 1, 2, and 3 with Laurel Parnell
AEDP for Couples Essential Skills Certificate Course
Dan Wile's Collaborative Couple Training
AAGT (Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy) Conferences
Gestalt Trainings with various Gestalt pioneers including Lynn Stadler, Gary Yontef, and Lynn Jacobs
Santa Clara County Suicide Prevention Workshop
ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)
Narrative Workshop with David Epston