Hello, I am a licensed Clinical Psychologist and earned my master’s and Ph.D. degrees from the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) at Alliant International University. I am a US Navy veteran and former police officer. I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest and transplanted to San Diego due to my military service. Being bi-racial, I welcome the experiences of various walks of life. Those ten years of civil service taught me about the resilience and fragility of the human psyche, which sparked my passion for mental health as it applies to human behavior. I work with people who suffer from anger management, sexual aggression (CASOMB - California Sex Offender Management Board certified treatment provider), sex/pornography addiction, poor self-regulation/impulse control, anxiety, depression, history of trauma, antisocial, narcissistic, and psychopathic/sociopathic personalities, individuals with criminal histories, adult ADHD, difficulty with maintaining healthy relationships, and low self-esteem. I also enjoy working with veterans, law enforcement, and other first responders or professionals who are impacted by vicarious trauma and burnout. I am LGBTQIA-affirming and respect spiritual and religious values. Therapy requires hard work and courage. I’m honored to be part of your journey to healing and personal development. You’re the hero of your story. I’ll be your sidekick.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
We will start with introductions, identify problem areas and challenges, and discuss our action plan.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I mentioned "Superhero Redemption Therapy," which is a style that I've coined in terms of helping individuals on their road to self-forgiveness as well as forgiving others. Sometimes it is easier to point out a favorite character we relate to when we discuss difficult things - and I use this method to validate one's painful experiences without falling into the path of villainy or self-destruction. With my psychodynamic and attachment approaches, I help individuals reconcile some of their deep-rooted and/or unconscious early experiences with their current patterns (e.g., series of failed jobs/relationships, low self-esteem, etc.). Self-compassion is a magnificent way of allowing us to cope with emotional pain, and mentalization assists those who have difficulty feeling empathy.