(he/him)
New to Grow
I have worked for nearly a decade as a private psychotherapist in Santa Cruz County, serving individuals, couples, and families, facing a variety of challenges, such as relationship issues, stress, anxiety, depression, autism, grief, and loss. Many of us just need someone to talk to who can listen without judgment and offer guidance and support. I enjoy being that person for people, working together with my clients to reach their goals.
The first session is a chance for us to get to know each other and start understanding what’s bringing you in. We’ll talk about what’s been going on in your life, what feels challenging right now, and what you’re hoping might change. There’s no pressure to have the “right” words or a clear story—many people come in unsure where to start, and that’s completely okay. I’ll ask some questions to help guide the conversation, but we’ll go at a pace that feels comfortable for you. We may also begin to notice patterns—things that keep showing up in your relationships, emotions, or reactions—and start making sense of them together. By the end of the session, you can expect to have a better sense of how I work and whether it feels like a good fit. Most importantly, this is a space where you don’t have to have it all figured out.
My greatest strength is my ability to help people understand themselves in a way that feels both honest and manageable. I quickly recognize underlying patterns—especially around relationships, shame, and life transitions—and translate them into insight that actually resonates. At the same time, I aim to balance depth with safety, while being able to explore difficult emotions without overwhelming clients, creating a space where they feel both supported and meaningfully challenged. My approach is naturally integrative and responsive, allowing me to meet each person where they are while still guiding the work with clarity and purpose. Overall, I offer more than just a place to talk—I help people make sense of their experiences and begin to move forward in a way that feels real and sustainable.
I work best with people who are thoughtful and ready (even a little) to look beneath the surface of what’s going on in their lives. Many of my clients are going through transitions—relationships, identity, family dynamics, or life direction—and are starting to ask, “Why do I keep ending up here?” I’m especially drawn to working with people who feel stuck in patterns, carry a lot of self-criticism or shame, or are trying to break old family cycles and do things differently. I also connect well with those who didn’t have strong emotional support growing up and are now learning how to build that for themselves. People who don’t need to have it all figured out—just a bit of curiosity and willingness to show up.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
My work is grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), while remaining flexible and responsive to each client’s unique background, goals, and experiences. I use a collaborative, case-by-case approach—drawing from CBT and related evidence-based practices such as mindfulness, behavioral strategies, and emotion regulation—to tailor our work together. This allows us to focus on what is most helpful for the client, and to adjust as we learn what works best over time.
Trauma-Focused CBT
My approach to therapy is integrative and grounded in grief- and loss-informed care. I recognize that each person’s experience of loss is unique, shaped by their relationships, history, culture, and the meaning of what has been lost. I tailor our work together to meet you where you are, whether you are feeling overwhelmed, numb, searching for meaning, or trying to find your footing again.
Family Therapy
My approach to therapy is integrative and grounded in a family systems perspective. I recognize that challenges often arise within patterns of interaction, communication, and roles that develop over time. I tailor our work to each family’s unique dynamics, history, and goals, creating space for each person’s experience while helping the family better understand how they impact one another.