(she/her)
I have been working in the area of behavioral health since 1990, have various degrees from educational institutions, worked several internships for required training, helped move clients from a Developmental Center into homes to live and be a part of the community, have a love of working with older adults, and feel I am a compassionate, kind, person who is client centered and wants to help others to become empowered, if wanted. I have been a social worker for several entities and before that I was a Licensed Psychiatric Technician working on a crisis unit for Sonoma county.
Clients can expect honesty, humor (appropriate), compassion, understanding, safe environment, confidentiality, and directness (as needed). Completing initial assessment with me, to see if there is a fit between client and myself, and if not refer to another clinician per request or suggest client find a provider who is a better match.
Meeting the client where they are at instead of putting clinicians agenda onto them, kindness, understanding, examples, honest, humor, compassion, empowering statements, and positive affirmations. Directness to an extent, able to diagnose people with appropriate diagnoses out of the DSM 5-TR. No stigmatizations and acceptance of various behavioral conditions. Working with people who can learn to admit faults (accountability) and work towards being a better person. Successful with working with people who experience neurodiversity, ADHD and ASD.
People who are neurodivergent and would like to learn more about a possible psychiatric diagnosis, like Autism, ADHD, people with cognitive limitations. Older adults with long term trauma, crisis intervention needs, or someone to discuss their lives and problems with. People who have experienced traumatic experiences in their lives, including childhood, and are being triggered in some way, to feel the same way they felt when trauma was occurring, and possible flashbacks. People who would like to learn better communication skills in life or with a partner, child, family member, office staff, or supervisor. Couples, when one was raised on East coast and other raised on west coast. People experiencing anxiety or various mental health issues, who would like to learn better coping skills or may need a referral to a higher level of care, for a medication evaluation.
Other specialties
I identify as
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I have used this treatment in therapy as I became more knowledgable about acceptance and commitment in my own life, using various interventions, to assist clients in learning about psychological flexibility through mindfulness, breathing exercises, journaling, etc.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I started using CBT in 1990 when I worked at a group home for SED adolescents, for 15 years at Sonoma Developmental Center, I continue to use it to help people learn coping skills to treat symptoms that are not affectively treated with medications, and to learn more information about their diagnoses and symptoms.
Compassion Focused
I used compassion with clients who have trauma or other psychiatric diagnoses, and appear to have low self esteem, or have not been treated with compassion in their past relationships. Emulating compassion for clients to learn as well. This seems to increase a person's trust in the therapeautic relationship.
Trauma-Focused CBT
Working with people who have experienced trauma in their lives. Using CBT to address triggers as well as Trauma informed care to process traumatic memories and work through them. Providing coping skill suggestions, to meet the client's where they are at in their lives.
6 ratings with written reviews
February 27, 2026
thank you! There is hope on the horizon!
October 10, 2025
I love how compassionate and understanding of my situation that come up in my life. Life is hard enough when you are alone but having Kerri as my therapist makes it a little easier. Thanks for putting her in my corner.
October 1, 2025
I enjoy somebody who is Direct, because it enables me to see clearly a direction I need to go. I am willing to laugh at myself, and enjoyed laughing with others because it lightens the situation and empowers me to change.