Hello, I'm a licensed Clinical Psychologist based in California. I received my PsyD from the Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA, and have been in private practice for the last four years. My pre and post-doc training was in memory care, which combined my love of relational therapy and the practicality of neuropsychology. That training gave me a great basis to explore both the emotional world with my client and psychoeducation that can allow a client to understand better how they work as a whole person.
In our first session, I like to take brief a history to find out what brings you to therapy and what you would like to accomplish. I find that with context it's easier for me to create a treatment plan and tailor our work together so that the time and energy that you invest align with your needs and goals. In this session, like with all others, please feel free to ask questions and let me know what works best for you.
Having worked and trained in a wide variety of settings, and having sat on the other side of the desk/sofa/chair, I find that creating a warm, conversational space with my clients allows us to discuss ideas and subjects more comfortably and easily, sometimes with laughter, others times practically, or with vulnerability. I invite my clients feel free to openly let me know what works (and what doesn't work) in a session or interpretation so that I can support them in the best and most respectful way possible.
I love working with clients who are dealing with social anxiety, neurodivergence, communication difficulties, life transitions, relationships, parenthood, and career struggles. The best thing about my work is when I can help someone be the hero of their own story, and live their best life.
Because every client comes from a different experience, culture and history, one theory or approach will not work equally for each person. Rather than use one method, I have learned many well so that I can tailor my work to the client, not vice versa.
My strong suit is to help couples learn to examine the small actions, assumptions and POVs that can erode long-term relationships. My clients learn about speaking to be heard, listening to deepen bonds, compromise while maintaining good boundaries, and how to respond rather than react.
This method is used to help with health, medication, and understanding ways to see behavior in a neutral way, rather than one that is based in shame or fear.