LCSW, 4 years of experience
New to Grow
I’m a licensed clinical social worker and therapist based in San Francisco, partnering with adults who are ready to move through anxiety, grief, depression, trauma, and relationship stress toward a more grounded and meaningful life. For over eight years, I’ve provided compassionate, evidence-based care in hospitals, human-service agencies, schools, and community health settings. My clients often come to therapy feeling overwhelmed by emotions, uncertain about their direction, or stuck in patterns that no longer serve them. In our work together, I create a space where insight and action meet. Drawing from Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and attachment-informed exploration, I help clients connect with their values, strengthen emotional regulation, and cultivate a more flexible, balanced mindset. Our sessions are collaborative and practical—we explore what’s happening beneath the surface, and then translate those insights into daily habits and relational shifts that support growth and resilience. My approach is warm, intuitive, and grounded in authenticity. I believe healing unfolds when we learn to honor our emotions, practice self-compassion, and realign with what truly matters. Whether you’re processing loss, navigating a life transition, or seeking deeper connection with yourself and others, my goal is to help you feel more clear, capable, and at peace in your own life.
Your first session is a chance for us to slow down and create a space that feels supportive, grounded, and centered on you. We begin with a conversation about what brings you in and what you are hoping to understand, change, or feel more supported around. There is no pressure to know exactly what you want from therapy. Many people start by saying they feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure where to begin. That is completely okay. I help guide the conversation in a way that feels natural, respectful, and unrushed. During this initial session, I ask questions that help me understand your emotional landscape, personal history, current stressors, and the patterns that shape your daily life. You are always in control of what you share. If something feels too tender or too soon, you can let me know and we will move at a pace that feels right for you. My goal is not to rush toward solutions, but to build a foundation of trust, curiosity, and connection. This helps both of us collaborate effectively in future sessions. We also talk about what therapy can look like with me. I share my approach, which blends values based exploration, mindfulness practices, and actionable skills. You will have an opportunity to ask questions, name concerns, or express any hopes you have for the process. Together, we begin shaping a direction for our work that feels aligned with your needs. Most clients leave the first session feeling heard, understood, and clearer about what is possible. You may not walk away with all the answers, but you will walk away with a sense that you are no longer carrying everything alone. From there, we continue building insight, practicing emotional regulation skills, and identifying the steps that support the life, relationships, and inner balance you are working toward. Your first session is the beginning of a collaborative relationship that honors your experiences and supports your growth with compassion, intention, and depth.
My greatest strengths as a therapist come from my ability to bring clarity, compassion, and direction into spaces that often feel confusing or overwhelming for my clients. I offer a presence that is steady, intuitive, and deeply attuned. Clients often tell me they feel understood quickly, even when they have struggled to put their experiences into words. I take the time to listen for not only what is said, but what is beneath the surface, and I help clients explore their inner world with curiosity rather than judgment. One of my core strengths is blending insight with practical tools. I support clients in identifying the deeper patterns that shape their emotions and relationships, and then I help them turn that awareness into real life action. My work draws from values based exploration, mindfulness practices, and emotional regulation skills, while also honoring the impact of trauma, attachment, identity, and lived experience. This allows clients to understand themselves more fully and to develop the flexibility and resilience needed to move forward. I am skilled at helping clients untangle anxious spirals, regulate strong emotions, and break out of patterns that leave them feeling stuck. I offer strategies that are grounded, actionable, and realistic, and I tailor them to each person’s needs. Whether someone is healing from loss, navigating relationship stress, or searching for a deeper sense of purpose, I help them build confidence in their ability to manage challenges and make choices that support their growth. Another strength of mine is my commitment to creating a therapeutic space that feels safe and human. I bring warmth, authenticity, and humor when it fits. I honor each client’s cultural background, personal identity, and emotional pace. I see therapy as a relationship that grows through honesty, thoughtful reflection, and collaborative effort. What ultimately stands out about my approach is the combination of emotional depth, practical guidance, and genuine partnership. I help clients feel seen, supported, and capable of creating the kind of life and relationships that align with who they truly are.
My ideal clients are individuals who are ready for change, even if they are not sure where to begin. They may feel overwhelmed by anxiety, weighed down by grief, stuck in depressive cycles, or unsteady after a major life transition. Many come in navigating relationship stress, healing from trauma, or feeling disconnected from the person they want to be. Often, they are high functioning on the outside but internally exhausted, overstimulated, or running on emotional autopilot. They are curious, reflective, and open to exploring the deeper layers of their experience. Even if they are unsure how to talk about their emotions, they sense that something needs attention and they are brave enough to take the first step. My ideal clients value growth, insight, and authenticity, and they are interested in understanding the patterns that shape their relationships, decisions, and inner world. Some clients arrive already doing personal development work. Others come in feeling lost, disconnected, or worried that their emotions are “too much.” Both belong in my practice. What matters most is a willingness to be honest, to slow down, and to work together on a more intentional way of living. I am especially aligned with clients who want therapy that is both compassionate and action oriented. People who want a safe place to process the hard things, but who also appreciate grounded tools, mindfulness strategies, and values based actions that support real and sustainable change. My approach works well for individuals who want to strengthen emotional regulation, interrupt anxious spirals, clarify boundaries, improve communication, or create healthier connections with themselves and others. My ideal clients want relief, but also transformation. They want to understand themselves deeply, learn how to move through discomfort with greater clarity and confidence, and build a life that feels meaningful, regulated, and aligned with who they truly are.
I hone in on early childhood attachment styles and patterns to better explain current relational difficulties.
I assess psychological flexibility and work with clients acceptance of current circumstances and their values to create a treatment plan.
I work with cognitive distortions and help clients reframe negative self talk.