New to Grow
I'm a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 20 years of experience, offering in-person sessions for individuals, families, and children, as well as telemedia services (for adults). I graduated from UCLA (Spanish major) and CSUF (Counseling major), and have worked with the Department of Children and Family Services and Orange County Superior Court on child dependency, divorce, and custody cases. Since licensure in 1992, I've maintained a private practice focused on trauma, anxiety, and depression.
During the initial session, I gather information about you and the reasons for seeking therapy. Together, we establish goals or desired outcomes tailored to your needs. I review my office policies to answer your questions in a supportive environment where you can share openly and feel safe.
Along with my university degrees, I am trained to support individuals facing divorce, parenting issues, and family trauma, and I am a certified EMDR therapist. I have attended numerous training seminars and three years of graduate instruction in psychology. I am dedicated to helping people manage their individual situations.
I find great fulfillment in working with children, particularly using play therapy. This approach allows me to help children express themselves in a safe and supportive environment, fostering their emotional growth and self-awareness. My practice includes working with families in various configurations. I strive to encourage participants to view their dynamics from an outside perspective, which can lead to improved communication and stronger relationships within the family unit. I am also rewarded by individual counseling sessions. Observing clients as they develop new perspectives, learn problem-solving skills, and find greater enjoyment in life is a meaningful and gratifying aspect of my work.
Adlerian
Adlerian therapy is based on the belief that human beings are motivated by a desire to overcome challenges, improve themselves, and contribute to society. Rather than focusing on pathology, it highlights strengths, resilience, and purposeful behavior.
Jungian
Jungian therapy, or Analytical Psychology, is a depth psychotherapy developed by Carl Jung. It explores the unconscious to promote self-awareness and psychological balance. Its primary goal is individuation, integrating conscious and unconscious aspects for personal growth.
EMDR
EMDR therapy helps people recover from trauma and distressing events by focusing on how the brain stores these memories, which can cause lingering emotional pain. Through guided methods like eye movements, tapping, or sounds, EMDR encourages the brain to process and integrate traumatic experiences. These techniques aim to lessen the emotional burden of past events and support psychological recovery.