Often rebooked
Welcome! I'm so glad you're here. I'm a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) who is deeply committed to creating a safe, supportive space where healing and growth can happen. I received my MS in Counseling from Cal State Fullerton and my BA in Psychology from UCLA. I spent many years in social work, supporting families and youth impacted by abuse and neglect, and later transitioned into the mental health field to continue that work through a therapeutic lens. That experience shaped my understanding of how trauma affects individuals and relationships, and it continues to guide the compassionate, trauma-informed care I offer today. In recent years, I’ve worked in nonprofit and school settings, providing therapy to adults and teens navigating anxiety, trauma, life transitions, and parenting stress. Whether you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or simply needing a space to pause and reflect, I'm here to support you with warmth, curiosity, and respect. It’s a privilege to walk alongside clients as they navigate challenges and discover new possibilities for themselves.
In our first session, my goal is to create a welcoming, nonjudgmental space where you feel safe, seen, and heard. We’ll begin by reviewing the intake paperwork and any forms needed to start the therapy process. From there, we’ll talk about what brings you to therapy, explore your goals, and discuss any questions or concerns you may have. You can expect me to show up with curiosity, compassion, and respect for your unique story. I’ll share more about how I work—using a trauma-informed, strength-based, and integrative approach—and how we might tailor therapy to meet your needs. Most importantly, this first session is about building trust and beginning a supportive partnership focused on your healing and growth.
As a therapist, I bring a calm, grounded presence and a deep respect for each client’s lived experience. With a strong background in social work and mental health, I have developed the ability to hold space for complex emotions and trauma while helping clients feel safe, seen, and empowered. My trauma-informed lens allows me to work with empathy and care, particularly with adults who have experienced abuse, neglect, or chronic stress. I am especially experienced in supporting parents who are navigating the emotional challenges of raising children, breaking intergenerational cycles, or balancing their own needs with the demands of caregiving. I integrate ACT, CBT, DBT, psychodynamic, and relational approaches, and focus on building strong therapeutic relationships rooted in trust, collaboration, and empathy. My strength-based perspective helps clients reconnect with their resilience and move toward meaningful, lasting change.
My dream client is an adult or parent seeking support with anxiety, trauma, life transitions, or relationship challenges. I especially enjoy working with adults who feel overwhelmed or stuck in their parenting journey—whether they’re navigating stress, guilt, intergenerational patterns, or the emotional demands of raising children. They may be coping with the impact of their own past experiences while trying to show up fully for their families. My clients are open to exploring evidence-based approaches like ACT, CBT, and DBT, and are ready to build emotional resilience and make meaningful changes in their lives. I work best with those who value a compassionate, collaborative therapeutic relationship and are looking for guidance, insight, and support in finding more clarity and balance.
Other specialties
I identify as
Cash - $150 per session
Aetna
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
All Savers
Amerihealth Administrators
Anthem
Arlo
AvMed
Blue Cross
Blue Shield
Carelon Behavioral Health (Commercial)
Centivo
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
EAP:UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Evernorth
Golden Rule
Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare
Health Net (Commercial)
IHSS Healthy Workers
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
L.A. Care Covered
L.A. Care Covered Direct
L.A. Care PASC-SEIU
Optum
OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
Oscar
Oxford
Sharp Health Plan
Surest (formerly Bind)
Sutter Health Plan
Tufts Health/Cigna
United Medical Resources
UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance
UnitedHealthcare Shared Services
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, evidence-based approach that helps clients understand the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. In my practice, I use CBT to help clients identify unhelpful thought patterns, develop healthier coping strategies, and build practical skills to manage anxiety, depression, and trauma-related distress.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Using ACT, I help clients develop psychological flexibility—learning to accept difficult emotions, unhook from unhelpful thoughts, and take meaningful action toward their values. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or relationship challenges, therapy with me is about fostering self-compassion and creating a fulfilling life.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I integrate DBT techniques to support clients in building mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT aligns well with my trauma-informed approach, as it provides concrete tools for managing overwhelming emotions while fostering self-compassion and acceptance. I help clients learn to navigate difficult thoughts and feelings using mindfulness and distress tolerance skills, while also supporting them in taking meaningful actions aligned with their values.
Strength-Based
My approach is strength-based, meaning I focus on helping clients identify and build upon their existing skills, values, and inner resilience. Rather than viewing challenges as deficits, I support clients in recognizing their capacity for growth, healing, and meaningful change.
Trauma Informed Care
I take a trauma-informed approach, recognizing the impact of past experiences on present challenges. My goal is to create a safe, compassionate space where clients can process their experiences at their own pace while developing resilience and self-compassion.
6 ratings with written reviews
July 14, 2026
I really wanted a therapist who would give me the tools to add to my toolbox to come up with solutions to my issues. Brenda not only does that but is calming, empowering and authentic. I love the handouts and book recommendations as well as her ability to not just listen, but help me discover more about myself. Overall, I was hesitant to begin therapy again with a new therapist but I am so glad I did. I feel so much better and it's all thanks to Brenda.
June 10, 2026
I instantly felt a connection to Brenda online by her profile and this was confirmed with my online session. I like her style and that she seems authentic and solution oriented. I want to put in work, not just have someone listen to me but someone that can get to the root of the issue and produce solutions to deal with the issues at hand.
April 20, 2026
She’s very warm and welcoming. I appreciated how much she validated my feelings.