How I Got Started
I first became interested in the mental health field during college when I began working at a holistic residential treatment center with adolescent girls dealing with substance use, mental health concerns, and eating disorders. Many of the young ladies began to have marked improvements following their family program week, and I realized that the family system work was powerful and engaging.
I attended San Diego State’s program for Marriage Family Therapy to study the systemic work that I had observed to be so life-changing.
Expanding My Training
While in graduate school, I attended the Emotionally Focused Therapy (couples and families - EFFT) externship and appreciated the introduction to the attachment-based model of health and wellness. Over the next decade, I continued to train in the model through consult groups and EFFT trainings, and completed Core Skills.
After graduate school, I worked in a fast-paced crisis youth shelter doing therapy with teenagers and their families. Here, I helped families reorganize their relationships and find reconnection at a deeper level while reducing harmful and, at times, life-threatening behaviors. I worked with transition age youth (ages 16-24), both in foster and former foster care, and young adults through a nonprofit organization.
It was while working with these young adults that I began expanding my training into Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a model of therapy that addresses complex trauma in a organized and specific way. Over the years, I’ve continued to participate in advanced EMDR trainings and ongoing consultation to hone my skills.
Training New Clinicians
Additionally, I care about the quality of training of up and coming clinicians, and went through the rigorous American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Approved Supervisor training. As such, I’m a clinical member of AAMFT and an approved supervisor.
Today
Currently, I treat humans ages 13 and older. Given my extensive experience with teenagers and their families, I find adolescent and family therapy to be rewarding and effective. Additionally, I feel tremendous privilege walking alongside my clients who are struggling with a variety of symptoms ranging from anxiety, depression, relationship transitions, personal growth, traumatic life experiences, issues related to sexual orientation, and many others. I also treat couples – dating, same sex, opposite sex, bi-racial, premarital, and couples who are uncoupling.
As a clinician, I believe I’m more effective when I’m benefiting from the wisdom and experiences of other therapists and experts in the fields. As such, I’m involved in a monthly EMDR training group with a consultant, and a bimonthly peer consultation group with others who specialize in adolescents and family therapy.
I consider the work I do sacred ground and feel tremendous respect for my clients and their process of self-exploration and healing growth that has the potential to transform their lives, families, and future generations.
A Little More About Me
When I’m not holding space for my clients, I enjoy a good cup of coffee, time in the ocean, physical movement (skiing, yoga, working out), and good conversations and travel adventures with my favorite people.