Couples Counseling

*I DO NOT ACCEPT KAISER OR ANY INSURANCE FOR COUPLES THERAPY, I can however provide a superbill and you may be able to submit to insurance for possible partial reimbursement Couples therapy is one of my areas of expertise. Much of my work focuses on helping partners resolve conflict and strengthen their attachment bond. I take an approach that is deeply informed by attachment theory and draws on principles from the Gottman Method, along with my own lived experience navigating relationships. While I am not formally certified in Gottman therapy, I find its research-based strategies very effective and integrate them into my practice. In sessions, I help couples identify and understand the deeper emotional needs that often lie beneath recurring arguments—needs for safety, closeness, respect, and belonging. When those needs are unmet, they often show up as criticism, defensiveness, stonewalling, or disconnection. By working together to uncover these patterns, I guide couples toward repairing ruptures and creating healthier cycles of interaction. I also support partners in developing practical skills for communication, conflict management, rebuilding trust, and fostering both emotional and physical intimacy. My approach balances compassionate listening with direct feedback, so couples feel both supported and challenged to grow together. Clients often share that through this work they not only resolve immediate issues but also experience a renewed sense of connection, deeper understanding of one another, and greater confidence in navigating future challenges as a team. Because of my background and lived experience, I bring both professional expertise and personal empathy into the therapy room. I know how painful relationship struggles can be—and I also know that with the right support, couples can transform conflict into opportunities for closeness, growth, and healing.

Attachment-based

Attachment theory is at the heart of much of my work. Our earliest relationships shape how we see ourselves, how safe we feel in the world, and how we connect with others. When those bonds are disrupted or inconsistent, it can lead to patterns of anxiety, avoidance, or disconnection that show up later in life—in relationships, self-esteem, and even in the way we manage stress. In my practice, I use an attachment-based approach to help clients recognize and understand these patterns with compassion, not judgment. Together, we explore how your current struggles may be linked to earlier experiences of connection or disconnection, and how these patterns play out in your relationships today. By bringing awareness to these dynamics, you gain the ability to respond in new, healthier ways rather than repeating old cycles. My work is both relational and experiential. I view the therapeutic relationship as a powerful place to begin healing attachment wounds. In our work together, I focus on creating a safe, consistent, and supportive environment where you can experience what it feels like to be understood, accepted, and valued. Over time, this provides a corrective emotional experience—one that can help shift how you relate not just to me, but to yourself and the people in your life. I also integrate practical tools and strategies to strengthen secure attachment, such as developing self-soothing skills, setting healthy boundaries, and improving communication. For couples, I help each partner understand their own attachment style and how it interacts with their partner’s, so they can move from cycles of conflict to cycles of repair and closeness. Clients often share that through this process they experience greater emotional security, stronger relationships, and a deeper sense of self-worth. For me, attachment therapy is about more than understanding the past—it’s about helping you create new ways of connecting that feel safe, fulfilling, and sustainable.

Polyvagal Therapy

I integrate the principles of Polyvagal Theory into my work because I believe understanding and working with the nervous system is essential for healing. Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, explains how our nervous system constantly scans for safety or danger, and how this impacts the way we think, feel, and connect with others. When we’ve experienced trauma, stress, or relational difficulties, our nervous system can get stuck in patterns of fight, flight, or shutdown. This can leave us feeling anxious, disconnected, or unable to fully engage in relationships and daily life. By using a polyvagal-informed approach, I help clients recognize these states with compassion and develop tools to return to a place of calm, safety, and connection. In practice, this often involves: Building awareness of how your body and nervous system respond to stress Practicing grounding and regulation skills that help shift you into a calmer state Using breath, mindfulness, and somatic practices to reconnect with the body Exploring how these nervous system patterns show up in relationships and learning how to create safety and trust in connection with others I also view the therapeutic relationship itself as a regulating experience. By offering safety, attunement, and acceptance, I help clients experience what it feels like to be calm and connected in relationship—something that often extends into their lives outside of therapy. Clients often share that polyvagal-informed therapy helps them feel more grounded, resilient, and in control of their emotions, while also deepening their capacity for connection with others. For me, Polyvagal Theory offers a powerful framework: it normalizes our nervous system responses, removes shame from the healing process, and provides practical tools for creating lasting emotional regulation and safety.

Trauma Informed Care

A central part of my work is being trauma-informed, which means I recognize how past overwhelming experiences can continue to impact the mind, body, and relationships long after the event has passed. Trauma can show up as anxiety, depression, difficulty trusting others, feeling emotionally “stuck,” or being easily triggered by reminders of the past. In my practice, I focus on creating an environment of safety, choice, and empowerment—the three pillars of trauma-informed care. From the very beginning, I move at your pace. You are always in control of what you share and how deeply we go. My role is to listen, support, and gently guide without pushing you beyond what feels safe. I integrate approaches that help regulate the nervous system, reduce shame, and build resilience, drawing from attachment theory, Compassion Focused Therapy, and humanistic principles. Because trauma often disconnects us from ourselves and others, a key part of our work is gently restoring that sense of connection—helping you feel grounded in your body, confident in your voice, and supported in your relationships. I also believe the therapeutic relationship itself is healing. Many people with trauma have experienced relationships where their boundaries, needs, or emotions were not respected. In our work together, I strive to create a corrective emotional experience where you feel truly heard, respected, and valued. Clients often report that through trauma-informed therapy they gain greater self-compassion, emotional stability, and a renewed sense of empowerment in their lives. For me, being trauma-informed is not about focusing only on the past, but about helping you reclaim your present and future with strength and hope.

Transpersonal

In addition to evidence-based approaches, my work is also informed by Transpersonal Therapy, which recognizes that healing is not only about resolving symptoms but also about connecting with deeper aspects of self, meaning, and purpose. This approach honors the mind, body, and spirit as interconnected, and it invites clients to explore growth on multiple levels—emotional, psychological, relational, and spiritual. Transpersonal therapy is especially powerful for people who feel that something is missing in their lives, or who want to go beyond simply coping and move toward greater fulfillment and wholeness. It creates space to explore questions such as: Who am I? What gives my life meaning? How do I connect to something greater than myself? In practice, I weave transpersonal principles into therapy through: Exploring values, beliefs, and personal meaning Using mindfulness and meditation practices to cultivate presence and inner awareness Supporting clients in connecting with creativity, intuition, and a sense of purpose Integrating spiritual or existential themes into therapy in a way that honors each person’s unique perspective and background I combine this with my trauma-informed, attachment-based, and humanistic approaches so that clients feel safe and grounded as they explore deeper levels of healing and self-discovery. Clients who work with me in this way often report feeling a greater sense of inner peace, clarity, and connection—both to themselves and to something larger than themselves, however they define it. For me, transpersonal therapy is about helping you discover not only how to heal but also how to live a life that feels authentic, purposeful, and whole.