In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Your first session is focused on understanding what brought you here and making sure this feels like the right fit. Therapy works best when there’s trust and mutual respect, and my priority early on is creating a space where you can speak honestly without feeling judged, analyzed, or rushed. I approach our work with the belief that you’re more than a diagnosis or a set of symptoms. You don’t need to prepare anything or have the “right” words. You set the pace. My role is to listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, and help you feel grounded enough to talk about what actually matters. We’ll talk about what’s been weighing on you, why you’re seeking support now, and what you’d like to change or improve. This isn’t an interview or an assessment—it’s a straightforward, respectful conversation. Especially if you’re used to carrying things on your own, I understand how hard it can be to start. My job is to meet you where you are and help you take the next step, one at a time.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is the combination of solid clinical training and lived experience. I don’t relate to adversity only in theory—I’ve lived through it, endured it, and rebuilt from it. Because of that, I bring a level of steadiness, empathy, and real‑world understanding that clients often tell me feels genuine and grounded. I immigrated to this country at seven years old without speaking English and grew up around violence, instability, and abuse. Those early experiences shaped my understanding of trauma, fear, resilience, and the drive to build a different life. I know what it’s like to feel unsafe, unseen, or unheard—and what it takes to move forward anyway. At 18, I joined the United States Marine Corps, serving 24 years with multiple deployments. That experience taught me how pain often shows up quietly—through silence, humor, toughness, or staying in survival mode, especially for men. It also taught me how to remain calm under pressure, listen beneath the surface, and carry responsibility with intention. I remain closely connected to the military community and understand the toll service can take on individuals and families. I’ve also experienced profound personal loss, including the loss of two daughters. That pain allows me to sit with clients in their darkest moments—not as someone offering platitudes or quick fixes, but as a fellow human who understands how fragile and meaningful life can be. Alongside lived experience, I bring strong clinical training, with two master’s degrees from Pepperdine University and years of work with individuals, couples, families, and communities navigating trauma, addiction, grief, conflict, and major life transitions.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I work best with individuals, couples, and families who want a therapist who brings both clinical skill and real‑world experience. After 24 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and four years working as an LMFT, I’ve learned that meaningful change happens when people feel safe, understood, and respected—not managed or talked at. I’m especially effective with men who feel pressure to stay strong while carrying far more than they show. As a Marine veteran, I understand the unspoken weight of service: the expectations, transitions, emotional armor, and isolation that can come with military life. Living near Camp Pendleton, I remain closely connected to the military community and regularly work with active‑duty service members, veterans, spouses, and children navigating reintegration, stress, identity shifts, and family strain. I also support clients moving through grief, loss, and painful life transitions. Having experienced profound personal loss, I understand that grief isn’t something you “get over,” but something you learn to carry with meaning and strength. I offer a steady presence—without rushing, minimizing, or offering clichés—as clients find their way forward. Couples are a central part of my practice as well. Using Gottman‑informed methods, I help partners improve communication, rebuild trust, understand conflict patterns, and reconnect emotionally. Whether you’re facing ongoing tension, intimacy concerns, betrayal, or the impact of trauma or military life, I provide a structured, respectful approach that supports both partners.