Hi! I'm a Licensed Clinical Psychologist based in California. I have earned 4 degrees in psychology, a bachelor's & master's in counseling psychology from University of Missouri, MIZZOU and a master's and doctorate in Clinical Psychology from American School of Professional Psychology, Orange County, CA. I have been providing treatment addressing a wide range of mental health concerns for over 40 years. I help children, adolescents and adults.
Together, we will identify your challenges and goals - we will explore where you want your life to be a month, six months, a year from now. Then, we'll identify options and strategies you can use to get there. You'll leave the session with a better understanding of what you're facing with an "actions and adjustments I can take right now" approach. There will always be room for collaboration, and I am always open to suggestions concerning our work together.
As a provider with 4 decades of experience in the area of mental health and wellness, I bring a wealth of knowledge and resources into the room (so to speak). I am comfortable addressing a wide range of issues and possess a high level of expertise drawing from a toolbox of therapeutic approaches.
“Bringing one’s complete attention to the present experience on a moment-to-moment basis.” (Marlatt & Kristeller) “Paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally” (Kabat-Zinn). “The nonjudgmental observation of the ongoing stream of internal and external stimuli as they arise.” (Baer) “Awareness of present experience with acceptance.” (Germer, Segal, Fulton) My own definition: “Consciously bringing attention, awareness and attunement to your here-and-now experience, with openness, curiosity and receptiveness.”
Adult Attachment Therapy helps in regulating the brain’s reward system, establishing a sense of safety, and reformatting the way we engage in relationships. There is a focus upon relationship rupture, repair and resolution.
It’s a commonly held belief that attachment between parents and children just happens naturally. Society pretends that humans are born with an innate desire and ability to love and that parents instinctively know how to love, protect, and bond with their children. The truth is much more complicated. Attachment can be inhibited, disrupted or impaired for a variety of reasons, and parents and children alike can both struggle to form healthy bonds. Coaching parents to develop and strengthen emotional attunement with each unique child.
Spirituality is a foundational component of understanding and healing pain, disappointment, abuse, trauma and neglect. Connecting to one's authentic spiritual essence and learning to be honest with self and others, promotes mental health and healing.
CBT treatment usually involves efforts to change behavioral patterns. These strategies might include: Facing one’s fears instead of avoiding them. Role playing to prepare for potentially problematic interactions with others. Learning to calm one’s mind and relax one’s body. The psychologist and patient/client work together, in a collaborative fashion, to develop an understanding of the problem and to develop a treatment strategy. CBT places an emphasis on helping individuals learn to be their own therapists. Through exercises in the session as well as “homework” exercises outside of sessions, patients/clients are helped to develop coping skills, whereby they can learn to change their own thinking, managed and regulate problematic emotions, and behavior.