(he/him)
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in California with over 5 years experience providing psychotherapy. During my career I have contributed to clinical research focused on developing new treatments for PTSD and mild traumatic brain injury, provided community-based mental health services in outpatient and residential settings, and am currently in private practice offering therapy to adults seeking support with a wide range of challenges. My goal is for clients to feel empowered to change so they can more effectively pursue the things that matter most to them.
In our first session we will dive into the specific challenges you are facing, explore the areas of your life that are being affected, and identify what effective therapy means for you. Then we will work together to develop a treatment plan drawing upon the evidenced based practices that have the best demonstrated effectiveness in meeting your particular goals.
I take a structured and goal-oriented approach to therapy that integrates various evidence based practices. My style is warm, direct, attentive, accepting, collaborative, and encouraging of feedback.
I have extensive experience working individually with a wide range of adults coming in with goals such as improving relationships, navigating work stress, increasing self-esteem, processing grief, learning new ways to better cope with the full variety of life's worries and anxieties, and many more. I am also developing my abilities in working with families, couples, and children. My ideal client is someone who is curious and willing to look deep inside themselves, even when it feels uncomfortable. They are motivated to grow, willing to try new approaches, and honest about their experiences.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT as a framework for understanding the relationships between thoughts, feelings and actions. Life experiences shape our view of ourselves and the world, and those current views are based on beliefs that may be outdated despite being helpful sometime in the past. This framework allows me to explore the origins of these beliefs in a way that is practical to clients, and provides clients a clear and actionable path towards navigating and overcoming obstacles that are interfering with current life goals.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I use ACT to help people engage in the activities that are vital and meaningful in their lives. When we try to avoid or get rid of negative thoughts, feelings, memories, or sensations, these experiences do not always get better and often get worse. By applying the principles of ACT, people develop mental flexibility and learn to accept, instead of reject, these negative experiences.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I use DBT to support clients in identifying ways to manage their stress and intense emotions through practical coping skills and mindfulness techniques.