About Me
I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has over 8 years of experience working with a variety of clientele. I have worked for multiple programs within YMCA's Youth and Family Services Programs including Kinship Program, an adolescent crisis house, as well as the Transitional Housing Program, Turning Point, and was a therapist at the San Diego Rescue Mission.
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I received my undergraduate degree in psychology and participated in a cross-cultural research team studying racial identity development and interracial prejudice. I completed my Masters of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy at Alliant International University in 2012, and am a recipient of the Alliant MFT Educational Stipend. I have received specialized training in Motivational Interviewing, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Brief Strategic Family Therapy, Trauma-Informed care approaches, and SPARCS-ST groups, an evidence-based psycho-educational group for survivors of trauma.
My clinical experience includes providing assessment, individual, couple and family counseling, group therapy services, as well as clinical consultation and case management. I have led groups in the following areas: anger management, harm reduction, healthy relationships, emotional regulation, parenting, open-process, and SPARCS-ST.
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When I am not working, I am a homebody that loves spending time with my husband, sons, and pups. I love the simple things in life like daily walks, a great nights' sleep, and always enjoy the opportunity to have delicious food.
My Approach
My approach encompasses a mix of experiential and psychodynamic systems theories and techniques with an underlying foundation of interpersonal neurobiology. In other words, I find that working with and exploring past experiences greatly helps to create a meaningful understanding of current circumstances which then allows for more effective treatment for what is going on today. Interpersonal neurobiology (IPNB) serves as a incredible framework for explaining the interconnectedness of our mind, bodies and relationships to others. Through the lens IPNB, I can explore with clients, a biological brain-based perspective of what is happening in the mind and body during psychological or behavioral experiences. I also incorporate techniques and practices of other theories as well, specifically EMDR, Motivational interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness.
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Additionally, I incorporate a feedback-informed element to my sessions and groups to ensure effectiveness and fit. I do my best to make sure that the questions I ask and the interventions that I use are always healing- focused and trauma-informed. I often work in conjunction with my client's other healthcare providers to ensure that their care is in-sync and compatible.
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Last, but certainly not least, I am intentional in honoring and respecting all areas of my clients' identity. I believe that my clients' identities are made up of facets critical to the effectiveness of therapy. I work to respect, learn about and incorporate into my work with each client, their race(s), ethnicity(ies), culture(s), nationality(ies), gender identity, physical ability, age, sexual preferences, faith/spirituality, income level, and any other piece they feel is important to who they are.
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For more specific information, or if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
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