LMFT, 14 years of experience
Hi there! I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the state of California. I'm originally from Chicago (some say I still have a lingering accent) and currently live in Santa Barbara, California. I'm a UCSB graduate and completed my Master's in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University in Santa Barbara. I started my professional experience working in mental health treatment in 2014, and from there I was hooked. I have substantial experience working in residential and outpatient treatment centers treating adults struggling with eating disorders, substance use and addiction, trauma and PTSD, mental health and co-occurring disorders, and more. While I have a lot of experience working with a higher acuity of care, I also love helping others navigate relationship issues, life transitions, career and work-related stressors, and other challenges that naturally come with life.
The first session is all about getting to know you; I'll want to know about why you're seeking therapy, your goals and what you hope to work on, as well as your preferences. What kind of therapist are you looking for? If you have prior therapy experience, what did you like? What did you hate? What's worked and what hasn't? If you're brand new to therapy, what are some of your hopes or fears? It's helpful for me to get a good understanding of your history in order to tailor an effective treatment approach, which can include questions about your medical/health history, past/current psychological functioning, family and social relationships, and more. I won't push you further than you're willing to go, so we can take things at your own pace. The first session is also your opportunity to get to know my style and approach to therapy, and I always encourage my clients to ask questions and give honest feedback about how things feel between us.
I'm skilled in my ability to lean in with curiosity and without judgment. I have this unwavering desire to learn more, to ask questions that make you think, and to try on a new perspective. I'm compassionate, authentic, and direct. Having worked in the mental health treatment field since 2014, I have a lot of experience working with many different kinds of clients and a range of presenting issues; I've seen a lot, and I've learned a thing or two. My experience in residential treatment has also allowed me to work with very challenging cases and severe mental health conditions on a regular basis, which has given me a lot of strength, confidence, patience, and passion for my work. No matter how big your baggage might feel, I feel strong in my ability to hold it. While I have a lot of professional experience, much of my passion and skill comes from lived experience. Like many therapists, I didn't choose this position for the money or because I've got it all figured out; I chose to become a therapist because I want to show others that they, too, can reach the other side. I know what it's like to feel stuck with no way out, to suffer in silence, and to find recovery by simply asking for help.
My ideal client is one who is willing to challenge themselves, try on different perspectives, and do the deeper work--not someone who feels forced into therapy. Relationships are my forte; I'm skilled at helping clients and couples to improve their communication, develop new coping skills, set and maintain boundaries, and manage conflict effectively. I also help clients navigate and recover from abusive relationships, whether it involves a partner, parent, or even your boss. I offer a safe and supportive space for both monogamous and non-monogamous relationships. My clients may also struggle with depression and anxiety, disordered eating and body image, addiction or substance use, trauma, or general life transitions (to name a few); They can recognize there's a problem but may lack the knowledge, tools, or support needed to get back on track. I help my clients to break self-destructive patterns and find their way back to themselves. Please note: I can only accept private-pay for couples and family therapy sessions in my private practice (virtual and in-person). I still accept insurance through Grow Therapy for individual sessions.
In my practice, I prioritize exploring relationships through an attachment-based lens to better understand how individuals develop and respond to feelings of security and insecurity within their intimate connections—be it with family, friends, or romantic partners. Given that humans are a social species, we're biologically wired to seek connection and belonging in order to survive, and the quality of our relationships essentially dictates our quality of life. Despite their necessity, relationships aren't usually easy to navigate. Many clients I work with grapple with recurring relationship patterns without fully grasping the underlying reasons. They often ask: "Why do I push people away whenever I feel myself getting close to someone?" "Why is it difficult for me to express my feelings or be vulnerable?" "Why do I feel guilty all the time?" "Why is it so hard for me to trust other people, and how can I learn to trust without getting hurt?" "Am I too trusting? Is that why I keep getting hurt? "Why do I prioritize others over myself and struggle to set boundaries?" "Why do I seem to sabotage relationships that are going well?" "Why do I treat my [loved one] this way despite how much I love them?" "How can I love someone who has hurt me deeply?" "Why do I cheat on my partner?" "Why can't I leave a relationship that I know is bad for me? How do I know what's right for me?" "How do I break free from toxic relationship patterns?" "Why are arguments so frequent, and how can we communicate better?" "Why am I always afraid of someone leaving me? How do I deal with my abandonment issues?” By exploring early relationships with caregivers and significant others throughout life, we can uncover how these past experiences shape current emotional responses and behaviors to target dysfunction. An attachment-based approach can help illuminate the origins of these patterns, their purpose (the "why"), and guide us toward necessary change. For some clients, the process of therapy can unveil old attachment wounds previously unrecognized, which may provide opportunities for greater healing. Of course, we must start first by developing the therapeutic relationship between client and therapist; one that is collaborative, rooted in trust, and characterized by a sense of safety. I am a big proponent of feedback, so if something's not working, let me know--communication is key! When it comes to you, YOU are the expert. Let me be your guide. Understanding attachment styles can help clients to deepen their connections with others and themselves in relationships, fostering secure relational patterns and enhancing conflict management and emotional intelligence skills. As a result, I often utilize this approach when working with couples and families to enhance understanding and responsiveness to each partner's attachment needs, improve conflict management skills, strengthen repair attempts, and deepen mutual understanding. I’ve found this approach to be particularly effective for clients with traumatic attachment histories by integrating trauma-informed techniques to navigate and process past experiences impacting present functioning. I don’t necessarily accept the idea that time heals all wounds. In fact, I've found that too many people try to stuff or ignore old, negative or traumatic experiences because they feel they “should be over it by now,” or because they “can’t change the past.” All of these unprocessed experiences catch up to us in some way or another, and often in ways that are outside of conscious awareness. I like to provide clients with a safe container to explore these deeper emotional experiences, foster self-awareness and insight, and facilitate positive change in their lives. Many in the clinical field understand attachment-based therapy as a branch of psychodynamic therapy, as the two approaches share underlying themes and concepts but differ in several ways. As a result, I naturally integrate both psychodynamic and attachment-based concepts/interventions in my practice, often in conjunction with skills-based learning objectives from modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I generally consider my approach to therapy to be comprehensive (holistic) and flexible, utilizing techniques from different theoretical frameworks to best fit my clients’ individual needs.
PLEASE NOTE: I can no longer accept insurance through Grow Therapy when treating couples or families and will only accept private pay. My private-pay rate can be negotiated based on financial need and special accommodations. Please send me a direct message for additional information, or you may contact me via phone/text at 805-895-1211. I absolutely love working with families and couples, even in individual therapy. I find that it's hard to fully understand an individual without exploring their greater, social context. As a result, I generally incorporate a family systems approach to therapy by viewing the individual as a “part” of a larger family system (biological or chosen). The family system naturally organizes and reorganizes itself to maintain a state of balance (homeostasis), even if that “balance” is considered dysfunctional. For example, if one person in the system is struggling with addiction or an eating disorder, family members will often develop new roles and behaviors in order to cope with the change, and sometimes these responses can unintentionally maintain the problem. In order for the identified patient (AKA the person with the "problem") to recover, the entire system must change, grow, and heal--it’s a group effort. Not all families are willing to do this kind of work, however, and that’s okay—we work with what we’ve got and discern between what is within and outside of our control. Additionally, I consistently come across couples who are stuck repeating old family dynamics, often unknowingly, and developing awareness is the first step toward change. So if you find yourself feeling really resistant to involving family or loved ones in your treatment, I encourage you to lean into this with curiosity and without judgement. I will meet you where you're at.
I've been working with clients in residential and outpatient treatment center settings since 2015, and the bulk of my training has been in trauma-informed care. I've found that operating from a trauma-informed lens is essential to my clinical work in order to create a foundation of trust, safety, and support. Most people that I work with have experienced some form of trauma throughout their lives, whether big 'T' or little 't' trauma. I've worked with clients who are really adamant about wanting to work on their trauma, but before we can start that deeper work, I first need to make sure that the person is equipped with a solid foundation of support and effective coping skills necessary for the process. I also like to make sure that we'll have enough time together to do the work; For example, I've seen many clients start the process of trauma work in treatment when their insurance company suddenly decides they're no longer willing to cover the cost, leaving the client vulnerable and without a lid to this newly opened can of worms. It's important to have enough time to safely complete and contain the trauma work in order to prevent re-traumatization.
A mind-body approach to therapy integrates the understanding that our mental and emotional states profoundly influence our physical health, and vice versa. Our experiences, emotions, and thoughts are not solely confined to the mind; They manifest in our bodies through sensations, tension, and physiological responses. Language is not our native tongue; We entered this world relying solely on our bodies to communicate. I find it crucial to explore how past experiences and current stressors impact both your mental state and physical well-being. By paying attention to bodily sensations, we can uncover unconscious emotions and patterns that may be contributing to your challenges. I utilize techniques such as mindfulness, body awareness exercises, and somatic experiencing are used to help you connect with and regulate your emotions, as well as to release physical tension stored in the body. This approach recognizes that healing involves more than just talking about thoughts and feelings; it involves engaging with the body's wisdom and restoring balance between mind and body. By integrating mind-body techniques into therapy, I aim to promote holistic healing and empower you to cultivate resilience and well-being on all levels.
2 ratings with written reviews
June 18, 2025
Great first introduction session. Feel like we can work together and am excited to see where things go.
April 30, 2025
She is just so kind and really digs into where the feelings are coming from, she understands that there are different paths for everyone and helps bring every situation back to reality in whatever way she can.