LMFT, 12 years of experience
Hello! I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California (Lic. #120212) and also licensed in Arizona (LMFT-16375) and Florida (MT 5304). I hold a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from California State University, Bakersfield, and a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Amridge University in Montgomery, Alabama. My approach is rooted in systems-based thinking—I look beyond symptoms to understand the deeper patterns and relational dynamics that shape emotional reactivity and behavior. I help clients identify and break dysfunctional cycles to create more peace and connection in their lives. I’m trained in EMDR, a powerful therapy for processing trauma and distressing memories. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (like eye movements or tapping) to activate the brain’s natural healing process. I often use it when clients feel stuck or weighed down by past experiences—it can be a transformative tool for moving forward. Whether you’re seeking support as an individual, couple, or family, I strive to create a space that feels safe, grounded, and tailored to your unique story. Therapy with me is collaborative, compassionate, and focused on helping you build insight, resilience, and meaningful change.
In our first session, we’ll take time to get to know each other. I’ll ask about what’s bringing you to therapy, your background, and what goals you’d like to work toward. You don’t need to have everything figured out—this is a space to explore, not to perform. I’ll also explain how I work, including my use of EMDR for trauma and my systems-based lens for understanding relational patterns. Whether you’re feeling nervous or ready to dive in, we’ll move at a pace that feels right for you. My goal is to help you feel safe, supported, and grounded from the very beginning.
I bring a calm, grounded presence to therapy and create a space where clients feel safe to explore what’s beneath the surface. My systems-based approach helps uncover the root causes of emotional distress and relational conflict, while EMDR allows clients to process trauma in a way that feels contained and empowering. I’m deeply attuned to grief, attachment wounds, and spiritual concerns, and I tailor my work to each person’s unique story. Therapy with me is collaborative, compassionate, and focused on lasting healing.
I specialize in family therapy and also work with individuals and couples. I’m especially attuned to clients navigating grief, crisis, and loss—whether related to death, divorce, disrupted relationships, infertility, or adoption. I also support those with trauma histories, attachment struggles, unresolved anger, spiritual concerns, and neurodiversity. Many of my clients are working through anxiety or bipolar disorder and seeking tools to manage symptoms while deepening self-understanding. Clients who work with me often want to break free from painful patterns, heal relational wounds, and move toward greater emotional clarity and peace. I welcome those who are curious, hurting, hopeful, or simply ready to begin.
Our early attachments to primary caregivers can profoundly influence our later attachments to friends, family, and romantic partners. As part of my practice, learning about your family of origin and your connections with others as you grew up provides the essential context in our work together.
I am an LMFT in California with a Master of Theological Studies degree from Duke Divinity School. I work with people of all faiths, but I mention that I am a Christian to let others know it is safe to discuss the spiritual side of humanity in therapy with me.
I work with individuals from a systems perspective. This means I will examine how your interactions with others affect your mood, behaviors, and overall well-being. Important Disclaimer: I am not able to bill insurance due to insurance policies that typically require a diagnosis of a mental health disorder for treatment. Since couples therapy is often considered relationship-focused rather than medically necessary treatment for a specific mental illness, many insurance providers do not cover it. This limitation applies to private insurance and Medicare/Medicaid/MediCal plans. If you would like to schedule couples or relational counseling with me, I am happy to see you on a private-pay basis.
In this approach, I look beyond behavior and external cues to see what lies within the psyche. Using metaphor, identifying ingrained defense mechanisms, and working through issues are part of the therapeutic process.
I find CBT helpful for identifying automatic thoughts and cognitive distortions so that the client and I can work collaboratively toward cognitively restructuring responses to triggers - both negative and positive. This lessens emotional reactivity and assists in the attainment of the client's therapeutic goals.