LCSW, 17 years of experience
Hi, I'm a licensed therapist (LCSW) in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland, CA. I received MSW degree from UC Berkeley. I've practiced counseling overseas in Tokyo, Japan, and in the United States in a variety of settings, including here at my office on College Ave. My open and authentic demeanor is useful in therapeutic relationships. If I think I can be helpful to you, I will let you know and we will review specific strategies to support you on your journey to being healthy in mind, body, and spirit.
In our first appointment, we'll discuss what's going on in your life, strengths, and concerns. I'll ask questions and gather information to determine if I can helpful to you, and if so, how. By the end of the first appointment, you should have a pretty good sense if I'm a good therapist / match for you at this time in your life.
If we decide to work together, I often group appointments into blocks of eight (8). At the end of eight appointments we will pause and decide together if you should continue in therapy, i.e. renew for another eight appointments. When I’m not at the office, I love mountain biking, the ocean, lucid dreaming, and spending time in community with family and friends from around the world.
Many people are (wisely) skeptical before starting therapy. People who come to my office (virtually or in person) almost always find that their lives change for the better. I believe strongly that mental health services should be available to everyone. I provide therapy for people from diverse backgrounds, ages, and abilities.
CBT provides the foundation for effective individual therapy. I combine CBT with Eastern approaches for lasting positive change. I have studied and practiced CBT with well-known psychologists, professors, and authors, i.e. Aaron Beck, Martin Seligman at University of Pennsylvania, and others.
I am experienced child and family therapist with background in both structural family therapy and experiential therapy. Couples and families shift relationships in the areas where they get stuck into healthy ways of listening and relating with each other.