(she/her)
New to Grow
I am a compassionate therapist dedicated to supporting children and adults as they navigate life’s challenges, including trauma, life transitions, and emotional distress. I bring genuine and authentic care to the therapeutic space to allow individuals to truly feel heard, seen, and cared for. I work with diverse populations and strive to create a safe, collaborative space where clients feel understood, respected, and empowered. Through evidence-based and culturally responsive approaches, I help clients build insight, strengthen coping skills, and create meaningful, lasting change in their lives.
If it’s your first time doing therapy, you may be unsure of what to expect. Clients can expect the first session to be a welcoming, supportive space where we begin getting to know one another and discussing what brings them to therapy. I’ll ask questions about their background, current concerns, and goals, while also explaining the therapy process, answering any questions, and working collaboratively to ensure they feel comfortable, understood, and supported moving forward.
What sets me apart is my genuine, gentle approach that helps clients feel safe and truly heard. I balance offering meaningful insight with a strong respect for each client’s autonomy, empowering them to explore their own perspectives and take an active, self-directed role in creating lasting change.
Although I have the most experience working with children and adolescents, particularly experiencing anxiety, depression, peer conflict, and self esteem challenges, I also would like to work with adults transitioning through life changes and seeking to develop new thinking patterns and coping skills. I work best with clients who are open to the therapy process but may be unsure about the process itself (perhaps it’s their first experience with therapy). I feel confident working with individuals coming from complex or dysfunctional backgrounds, history of childhood trauma, or experience with unjust and inequitable systems. I have a gentle approach and work best with those experiencing more internalized symptoms (i.e. depression, cognitive distortions, grief, anxiety, poor self image) to support them in gaining the insight and confidence to implement new coping mechanisms and consider new ways of thinking.
Motivational Interviewing
I use motivational interviewing as a collaborative, client-centered approach that helps clients explore and resolve ambivalence about change by eliciting their own motivations, values, and goals. Through open-ended questions, reflective listening, and affirmations, I create a supportive environment that reinforces autonomy and empowers clients to take meaningful, self-directed steps forward.
Trauma-Focused CBT
I use trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) to help clients process traumatic experiences, build coping skills, and reframe unhelpful thoughts in a structured, supportive way. With several years of experience working with children and adults who have experienced trauma, I tailor interventions to promote emotional regulation, resilience, and a greater sense of safety and empowerment.
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
I use culturally sensitive therapy to ensure that each client’s cultural background, values, and lived experiences are respected and integrated into the therapeutic process. Drawing on my experience working with diverse populations in refugee resettlement and diverse therapeutic settings in San Diego, and providing services in both English and Spanish, I strive to create an inclusive, responsive environment that supports meaningful and effective care.