New to Grow
I am an LCSW based in the Bay Area who offers compassionate psychotherapy and counseling to people coping with loss, grief, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. My approach is relational and trauma-informed, focused on building trust in a supportive and therapeutic environment. I have specific expertise working with school-aged and adolescent children, teens, and young adults, as well as significant experience providing grief and loss counseling to adults of all ages. Navigating loss is one of the most profound challenges we face and it can feel overwhelming and isolating. I believe that grief is not something to be "fixed" or hurried through, but rather a normal, powerful human response that needs space, patience, and guidance. My practice is built on the understanding that every age group expresses and processes loss differently, requiring a highly personalized and creative approach. I support my clients to co-create a safe space to express and process their emotions, build coping skills, and uncover strengths and resilience, to be able to move forward at the pace that is right for them. Grief impacts every aspect of life, and there is no "right" way to grieve. Together, I support my clients to find hope again, understanding that we can move forward without "moving on."
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Think of our first session as a slow, gentle step forward. Its normal to feel a little nervous or unsure. My primary goal in the first session is to establish a safe, supportive connection and environment and make sure my client feels comfortable. There is no expectation to share the "whole story" or dive into the most painful parts of the grief or loss right away. I'll take some time to explain how grief support works and answer any questions you or your family might have. I will explain how confidentiality works, what techniques we might use in our sessions together, and we'll collaborate on a starting pace to make sure our time together matches what you need. I consider a first session to be successful if my client/family member can leave feeling even slightly lighter or less alone knowing that they found a compassionate and trusted partner for their journey.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My approach is deeply rooted in compassion and empathy. I approach every person's story with profound respect, ensuring they feel seen and understood in their unique experience. My key strength is pairing my emotional presence with significant clinical expertise in areas such as expressive therapies, family systems perspective, CBT, DBT, attachment-based therapy, and mindfulness. Matching the intervention to the developmental stage ensures therapy will be safe, supportive, and effective in building long-term coping skills. I support my clients to integrate loss in developmentally appropriate ways so that a path forward becomes more clear. Coping with loss is an ongoing practice and I support my clients to develop a toolkit to continue coping as they move forward. When I see my clients rediscover even the smallest spark of hope or experience a moment of joy, I can see that they are building a toolkit and resilience that will continue to serve them throughout their lives.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I provide a safe, non-judgemental space for children, adolescents, teens, and adults to explore the complexity of their emotions, whether they are grieving the loss of a loved one, the separation of a family, a major life transition, or the loss of a friendship or pet. Supporting a grieving family member when you are also grieving can feel so overwhelming. I offer psychoeducation for parents/caregivers, and supportive strategies for grieving family systems. Grief counseling provides emotional support, helps individuals develop coping strategies, and creates a safe space to process emotions after a loss. It can also lead to personal growth, improve mental health by preventing issues like depression and anxiety, and help restore relationships by improving communication. Ultimately, it guides individuals in finding a way to move forward with their lives, develop resilience, and build a new sense of purpose. If that's what you're looking for, I'm here when you're ready to share.
Attachment-based
Attachment theory can help us understand how early caregiver relationships shape your emotional and relational patterns throughout life. I apply this by creating a secure and supportive therapeutic relationship to help you explore how past experiences influence current behaviors, emotions, and relationship issues. The goal is to build healthier ways of relating to oneself and others and address root causes of distress.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is used in therapy by identifying and challenging negative thought patterns and behaviors to develop new, more helpful coping strategies. It is a goal-oriented and problem-focused approach that will help you learn to manage distressing emotions and improve your quality of life through practical skills.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a cognitive-behavioral therapy that teaches skills like mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness to help you better manage emotions and improve relationships.
Grief Therapy
Everyone experiences grief but no two grief experiences are the same. Supporting young people through grief can be especially difficult for parents/caregivers who may also be grieving. I specialize in providing children, teens, and young adults, in the context of their family system, a safe space to express, process, and navigate their loss.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) is a strength-based approach to therapy that focuses on collaborating to find solutions, rather than on problem-solving. Unlike other forms of therapy, SFBT concentrates on current circumstances and future hopes. Solution Focused therapy is a great approach if you want support in achieving a current goal.