I am a board certified Licensed Marriage Family Therapist. I am licensed in both Californai and Tennessee. I work with INDIVIDUALS AND COUPLES. For more than 20 years, I've provided care for patients who struggle with navigating the difficulties in the marriage relationship. I am trained in and use a variety of evidence-based strategies to help you in your relationship. I have been a Supervisor of many Associate Marriage Family Therapists. I studied at Chapman University in Orange, CA and obtained a Master of Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy (1997). I was trained by the University of California, Davis in PCIT. And recieved a certification as a trainer of therapists for Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) in 2007, I also studied at Golden Gate Seminary and obtained a Master of Arts in Christian Education in 1979.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session, we'll take a moment to get to know each other. I'll ask you if you have any questions about me, or about the process of our counseling. Then I ask you to provide some background about yourself and the events that led you to seek out a counselor. If we have time after gathering infomation, we'll work together to determine next steps which would be helpful to you.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
During each session, I'll guide you through strategies that will help reduce the stress in your life/relationship. We often practice during the session and I often will give you homework to do during the week. I usually request feedback before we sign off to make sure I met your expectations for the session. I want to make sure you're getting what you're looking for. For working with couples, some of the methods I use include Emotionally Focused Couples therapy. I also draw from the works of John Gottman; particularly the strategies in his works of Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, as well as Harville Hendrix's works in Getting the Love You Want. I have extensive post graduate training in treating adults with childhood trauma as well as more recent traumatic experiences.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I am passionate about helping couples make their relationship the best it can be. I use practical strategies to help you communicate better with your partner as a means to grow closer and resolve the conflicts in the relationship. I also love to help those with anxiety and a history of trauma. These can be some of the most painful struggles people have. Using some basic Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, I can help you begin the journey to healing.