New to Grow
I was born and raised in Oakland, California. I am a father of 5 boys and am currently married for over 16 years. I am a retired Longshoreman. So, being a therapist is a second career for me. I offer my clients a place to explore all aspects of their life. I embrace discussions about identity (race, sexuality, socio economic issues, gender, ableism etc...) I was taught the client is the expert in their own experiences. I see my role as supporting the client in deepening their understanding of the past, the present and how they can create a future of their own making.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Therapy is a relationship. Clients have choices. In the first session we are evaluating each other. Do I feel I have something to offer you to grow? Do you feel that you can move into a space of growth with me? We begin framing goals that you would like to achieve.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I have lived a life of diverse experiences both professionally and personally. I have an ethnically expansive family and I have a lot of practice negotiating conversations about difference.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
My clients tend to have decided that they want some kind of change in how they live, whether that is shifting relational patterns they are noticing or exploring the meaning of life transitions.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a humanistic, evidence-based approach to psychotherapy, drawing primarily from attachment theory to facilitate the creation of secure, vibrant connection with self and others. In my practice I use EFT to support clients to deepen their understanding of how they function within relationships and what they may want to shift in order to create more positive experiences in their relationships.