I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in California. I received my Master's degree in counseling psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy, professional clinical counseling, and depth psychology, and I've been working with clients since 2015. There is no one-size-fits-all in therapy, and so I choose to take a creative approach in my work with clients, combining mindfulness, body-centered awareness, cognitive behavioral tools, compassion, and humor, to promote healing.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Our first session is an opportunity to get to know each other. I can answer any questions that might come up about my background, training, or preferred approach, but most of the session is dedicated to understanding you - what has brought you to therapy now, and what has made you the person you are. Our first session can be more directive than subsequent sessions as I try to get to know your history and goals, and your only job is to be as unfiltered and open as possible.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I'm not particularly interested in diagnoses and labels outside of helping you understand patterns of behavior and normalizing that what you're experiencing is something we know about, and can understand. I also don't adhere to any one mode of therapy in a traditional or strict sense, so if you're a purist (or looking for one), I may not be for you. What I can offer is my genuine interest in and desire to help people from all walks of life get un-stuck and find new ways of being together. I take a holistic approach and consider the mental, emotional, physiological, and spiritual aspects of your life that may be influencing the trouble you're having. I strive to bring a deep sense of empathy, openness, versatility, acceptance, and support to the work we will do together.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
Something in your life has become enough of a problem that you are seeking help. When things don't turn out the way you imagined, or you find yourself repeating the same patterns that keep you working against yourself, it is only natural to feel anxious, depressed, and/or overwhelmed. You might feel blindsided by a big life transition, paralyzed by shame or fear, or as if you are constantly fighting an uphill battle. Whatever the issue, you are capable of making change, and I am here to help. I love working with folks who are deeply committed to change and invested in becoming more of the version of themselves they would like to be. This work can be challenging, and I take great pride in getting to move through it with seekers and people who are curious to find a better way.
Psychodynamic
My graduate school program specialized in depth psychology (aka psychodynamic therapy), so this forms the foundation of my training. When things don’t turn out the way you imagined, or you find yourself repeating the same patterns that keep you working against yourself, it is only natural to feel anxious, depressed, and/or overwhelmed. You might feel blindsided by a big life transition, paralyzed by shame or fear, or as if you are constantly fighting an uphill battle. If we look at the unconscious motives that drive our behavior, (often coming from childhood and the family systems we grew up in), we have an opportunity to make lasting change that addresses the root of the issue.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
The work we will do together is deeply influenced by IFS therapy. We are made up of different parts just like a family is made up of different individuals with their own unique personalities and roles. Each of our parts has its own specific qualities, desires, and intentions, and we create opportunities for healing by connecting to our core Self. In practice, this can look like building self-awareness, gaining consciousness around which parts of us are dictating our choices and behavior, and exploring how to build trust with ourselves over time.
Humanistic
Each of us has the opportunity to self-actualize, or to find the best solutions for ourselves and make changes that lead to our own healing. I don't look at myself as an expert here to tell you what to do, but rather as a guide that lights the path as you choose which direction you want to go. This is about tapping into your inherent wisdom so that you connect to your own sense of agency, and feel empowered to live a healthy and satisfying life.