Hi! I'm a Licensed Clinical Psychologist based in California. I received my bachelor's degree from Cornell University, a master's degree from the State University of New York (SUNY) system, another master's from the University of New Mexico, and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of New Mexico. I've trained at three Veteran's Affairs hospitals (most recently VA Puget Sound) and completed my residency at Kaiser Permanente in Northern California. I've co-authored more the 25 scholarly articles, chapters for medical textbooks, and symposia at national conferences, worked on a number of research grants funded by the National Institutes of Health, and have been providing psychotherapy for individuals, couples, and groups since 2014.
In our first session together we'll talk, at length, about the specific challenges you are facing. We'll decide, collaboratively, whether our working together makes sense, and which specific set of therapies, tools, and strategies will result in the improvements you are looking for. I may ask a number of follow-up questions aimed at ruling in, or out, certain disorders, and assess what goals and functional targets you'd like to achieve.
My training is as a clinical scientist. In the context of psychotherapy, this means we'll be working together on evidence-based, scientifically-grounded strategies for improving your well-being, happiness, resilience, and functioning. Additionally, our work will be driven by an individualized process of scientific inquiry, in which we will collaborate on hypotheses and develop small experiments in and out of session to test and refine coping skills and adaptive thoughts or behaviors.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapies - specifically newer science-backed approaches like Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy - have been shown in brain imaging studies to quite literally rewire important pathways in the brain. These therapies capitalize on clients' own inherent abilities to change, to detach from the constant noise of 'monkey mind,' and to lay strong foundations for happiness and well-being by helping clients initiate long-lasting behavioral progress in the direction of individual values and purpose, stronger relationships, and a more accurate, kinder sense of self.