Licensed to practice in California and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in Depression, LGBTQ, Life Transitions and 10 more.
(she/her)
New to Grow
I believe therapy should be a place where you can show up exactly as you are—without judgment, pressure, or the expectation that you have everything figured out. Clients often describe me as warm, genuine, and direct, and I believe therapy works best when it feels like a real conversation: one where you feel heard, understood, gently challenged, and equipped with practical tools you can use in everyday life. Building a trusting, collaborative relationship is at the heart of my work. I strive to create a space where you feel safe bringing every part of yourself into therapy, knowing you'll be met with compassion, honesty, and respect. Together, we'll work toward helping you better understand yourself, navigate life's challenges, and create meaningful, lasting change.
Many of my clients begin therapy feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or stuck in patterns they no longer want to repeat. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. During our first session, I don't expect you to have all the answers or to share your entire life story. Instead, we'll take the time to get to know one another, explore what brought you to therapy, and talk about what you hope will be different in your life. Our first session is a conversation, not an interrogation. I'll ask thoughtful, open-ended questions to better understand your experiences, what's been working, what hasn't, and what matters most to you. Together, we'll begin identifying the patterns and challenges that may be keeping you stuck while creating a shared understanding of where you'd like to go. By the end of our first session, my hope is that you'll feel heard, gain a clearer understanding of your concerns, and leave with a sense of direction and a plan for how we'll move forward together.
One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my curiosity. I believe that before meaningful change can happen, we first need to understand the thoughts, emotions, experiences, and patterns that have shaped where you are today. Rather than making assumptions or rushing to solutions, I ask thoughtful, open-ended questions that encourage deeper reflection and help us make sense of your unique story. Clients often tell me they appreciate that I am both warm and direct. I create a space where people feel safe enough to be honest—even about the thoughts or experiences they've never shared with anyone else. At the same time, I won't simply sit quietly and nod. I'll gently challenge unhelpful patterns, offer new perspectives, and help you explore possibilities you may not have considered before. I don't believe therapy is about fixing people or telling them who they should be. Instead, I believe people grow when they begin to understand themselves with greater compassion and clarity. My role is to walk alongside you, helping you recognize your strengths, align your choices with your values, and develop practical strategies that support meaningful, lasting change. My professional training and life experiences have reinforced my belief that growth is rarely linear and that change takes courage. Every person's story is unique, and I consider it a privilege to create a collaborative space where curiosity replaces self-criticism, understanding leads to insight, and insight becomes the foundation for lasting change.
My approach is best suited for adults who are ready to better understand themselves and create meaningful, lasting change. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or stuck in patterns that no longer serve them. They may be navigating anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, relationship challenges, or simply feeling disconnected from the life they want to live. The people who tend to benefit most from my approach don't need to have everything figured out before they begin therapy. What they do need is a willingness to be curious, honest, and engaged in the process. They recognize that meaningful change takes time and are open to exploring new perspectives, practicing new skills, and applying what we discuss between sessions. One thing I often tell my clients is that the real work of therapy happens outside the therapy room. Our time together provides the insight, support, and direction; lasting change comes from putting those insights into practice in everyday life. If you're looking for someone to simply tell you what to do, my approach may not be the best fit. If you're looking for a collaborative therapist who will ask thoughtful questions, gently challenge unhelpful patterns, and help you better understand yourself while developing practical tools for change, we'll likely work well together. I also believe that finding the right therapeutic fit is an important part of the therapy process. If your primary concerns would be better served by a therapist with specialized training—such as complex trauma or perinatal/postpartum mental health—I will gladly help connect you with someone whose expertise best meets your needs.
Other specialties
I identify as
Integrative
I use an integrative approach because I believe there is no one-size-fits-all path to growth. Every client brings a unique story, strengths, and challenges to therapy, so I thoughtfully draw from evidence-based approaches that best support their goals. My focus is always on helping clients better understand themselves, build practical skills, and create meaningful, lasting change.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients develop a different relationship with difficult thoughts and emotions while focusing on what matters most to them. This includes helping clients increase psychological flexibility, clarify their values, and take meaningful steps toward the life they want to build—even when challenges are present.
Compassion Focused
I use Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) to help clients develop a more compassionate relationship with themselves, especially when they struggle with self-criticism, shame, or perfectionism. Together, we explore how life experiences have shaped current patterns of thinking, feeling, and responding, while cultivating greater self-compassion, resilience, and emotional balance.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I use Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help clients build practical skills for navigating life's most emotionally challenging moments. When stress, anxiety, or overwhelming emotions make it difficult to respond the way you'd like, DBT provides tools to regulate emotions, tolerate distress, strengthen relationships, and make choices that align with your values and goals.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients better understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. My approach is collaborative and curiosity-driven, using thoughtful questions to help clients identify unhelpful patterns, develop new perspectives, and build practical skills that support meaningful, lasting change both inside and outside the therapy room.