(she/her)
New to Grow
Most of my experience as a psychotherapist has been in treating individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, grief, loss, trauma, and other significant life changes (workplace stress, chronic illness, aging). I have worked in health and human services in different parts of California for the past 30 years. I have been a telehealth psychotherapist since 2021. Just before the pandemic I was working with people who needed support to find housing and provide for their basic needs, as well as people needing substance use treatment. As a social worker I have also worked with people experiencing trauma, chronic health conditions/disabilities, age-related circumstances and grief/loss. (Also, I have a good understanding of social services and mental health resources in the San Francisco Bay Area, especially Contra Costa County. In my free time I enjoy baking, hiking, playing with my Boston Terrier, Bruno and watching baseball.
In this safe space, and through this therapeutic process, we will witness your emotional growth and development of effective coping skills. Your self-awareness will improve and you will begin to experience positive changes in real time.
I am an open-minded and client-centered clinical social worker, who is respectful and deeply empathetic but also uses humor appropriately at times because I’m a human being.
I am an open-minded and client-centered clinical social worker, who is respectful and deeply empathetic but also uses humor appropriately at times because I’m a human being. I use treatment modalities/therapeutic techniques to help my clients explore/reflect on who they are (values, strengths, challenges), where they’ve been (trauma, loss, milestones, achievements), what changes they want/need to make (self-care, relationships, school/work, spirituality) and what they need to do to accomplish their goals (intention, motivation, attitude, self-worth). My counseling style is warm and casual yet direct; typically combining Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral (DBT), mindfulness approaches and a solution/action-oriented style. I use these treatment modalities/ideologies as a means to assisting my clients to explore where they are currently, where they would like to be, and take the necessary steps to get there. This allows my clients to witness their own growth and take ownership in their journey toward the best version of themselves. Authenticity and honesty are critical to the healing journey. I look forward to working with you!
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral techniques (cognitive restructuring) with almost every client who is experiencing emotional distress but specifically those who experience spiraling/unproductive thoughts, cognitive distortions and catastrophizing.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness is a catch-all phrase to describe a multitude of techniques meant to help people stay in the present moment and focus on (mostly) external/neutral stimuli which helps distract or prevent the focus being on internal distress.
Motivational Interviewing
I use motivational interviewing techniques to help my clients identify their own needs and formulate their own course of action. It is helpful for almost everyone but is especially helpful for those with substance use issues who are in the early stages of change.