(he/him)
New to Grow
I am a clinical social worker with 22 years in private practice, as well as many years working in the community and in hospitals as a therapist and supervisor. My approach is authentic, collaborative, and conversational. I listen closely, never judge you, and work first of all to earn your trust and understand your goals. It's never about my agenda. Therapy is a place for your to process feelings, identify beliefs that aren't true and aren't working, and get to know yourself on a deeper level, while learning skills and tools to manage stress, anxiety, distress, anger, and all the other emotions that come with this life. My method includes unconditional positive regard for all the people I talk with, skills-based teaching, mindfulness, and exploration of thoughts and beliefs. I'm also a musician and I live in southern California.
Our first session - and often our second and third - is a time for me to get to know you. With the exception of a few questions I have to ask, and a few things I need to tell you, it is entirely an open space for you to share what is important to you, ask me any questions you may have, and for us to take our time discovering just what is going on for you and how I can be of help. Our most important task is for me to ensure you feel safe and comfortable talking with me.
I am easy going and usually able to help people feel comfortable quickly. I am adaptable and can provide different approaches to meet people's preferences and needs. My clients feel heard and know they can rely on me to listen, provide sound feedback, and stay with them through their hardest moments.
With 22 years of experience at multiple levels of care, I am very comfortable serving anyone who walks in. That said, people with nontraditional views and lifestyles seem to work very well with me, and people who are motivated and ready to deeply explore will do best in any talk therapy setting. I employ some humor and am conversational and collaborative in approach, so anyone working with me should be open to that. However, I am adaptable and will try to flex my methods to meet the needs of whoever is before me.
Other specialties
I identify as
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
We explore the impact of your thoughts -- beliefs, narratives, internal messaging, self-talk -- on your feelings and actions, and work to create narratives and thoughts are accurate, helpful, and sustainable.
Humanistic
We explore the meanings, values, goals, and subjective experiences that are important to you, their connection to universal human experiences like free will, death, solitude, love and meaning, and explore your choices and motivations in that context
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
DBT is especially useful for people experiencing extreme emotional dysregulation and distress. We make use of a workbook that provided concrete tools and skills to manage emotions and relationships
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
We learn and practice mindful breathing techniques to help self-sooth and to increase awareness of our thoughts, feelings, fears, needs, and desires.
Motivational Interviewing
We discuss your choices, motivation for change, and barriers to taking steps we together identify as important to you, and how you can overcome those barriers and take those steps on a timeline that works for your needs and strengths.