New to Grow
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a diverse clinical background supporting individuals across different stages of life. I began my career providing counseling services to high school students in the Central Valley and later worked within the legal system for over two years. I have experience in inpatient settings providing crisis intervention, as well as outpatient work on a mobile response team supporting individuals in acute distress. As a mother of a young child, I developed a strong passion for perinatal and postpartum mental health, which I have specialized in for the past two years. This combination of professional and personal experience allows me to provide compassionate, practical support to clients navigating life transitions, stress, and emotional challenges.
In our first session, you can expect a supportive and collaborative space where we begin getting to know each other. I’ll ask questions about what brings you to therapy, your current concerns, and any relevant history to better understand your experiences and goals. There’s no pressure to share everything at once—we’ll move at a pace that feels comfortable for you. We’ll also talk about what you hope to gain from therapy and begin identifying initial goals together. I’ll explain my approach and answer any questions you may have about the process. My goal in the first session is to help you feel heard, respected, and supported while we start building a strong foundation for our work together.
My therapeutic approach is integrative, meaning I draw from several evidence-based methods to best support each client’s unique needs: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): I help clients understand how their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected. Together, we identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop more balanced perspectives, along with practical coping strategies to improve daily functioning. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): I incorporate DBT skills to support emotion regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and healthy communication. This approach is especially helpful for managing intense emotions and building stability. Motivational Interviewing (MI): I use a collaborative, nonjudgmental style to help clients explore ambivalence and strengthen their motivation for change. This approach empowers clients to move forward at their own pace. Narrative Therapy: I support clients in exploring and reshaping the stories they hold about themselves. By identifying strengths and separating themselves from their challenges, clients can build more empowering and meaningful narratives. I tailor these approaches to each client, creating a balanced experience that combines emotional support with practical tools for growth and change.
As an LMFT, I am best positioned to support individuals and families navigating life transitions, stress, and emotional challenges, with a strong focus on service members, veterans, and their families. As a military veteran, I understand the unique demands of military life, including deployment cycles, reintegration, relationship strain, and the impact of chronic stress. I strive to provide a supportive and culturally responsive space for those connected to military service. I also specialize in working with individuals during pregnancy, perinatal, and postpartum periods. As both a clinician with experience in perinatal and postpartum care and a mother of a young child, I have a deep understanding of the emotional, physical, and relational changes that come with this stage of life. I support clients experiencing anxiety, mood changes, identity shifts, and the challenges of balancing caregiving with personal needs. Overall, I work best with clients who are seeking practical tools, emotional support, and a collaborative approach to navigating stress, transitions, and personal growth.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
As an LMFT, I regularly use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients better understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. In my practice, I support clients in identifying unhelpful thought patterns, challenging negative beliefs, and developing more balanced and realistic perspectives. I also incorporate practical tools such as coping skills, problem-solving strategies, and behavioral techniques to reduce distress and improve daily functioning. CBT is collaborative and goal-oriented, allowing clients to actively participate in their growth and build skills they can continue using outside of therapy.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I incorporate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to support clients in building practical skills for managing intense emotions, improving relationships, and increasing overall stability. In my practice, I focus on core DBT components such as mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. I work collaboratively with clients to help them stay present, navigate crises without escalating distress, and communicate their needs more effectively. DBT is especially helpful for clients who feel overwhelmed by their emotions, as it provides structured, skills-based tools that can be applied in everyday life.
Gestalt
I incorporate Gestalt therapy to help clients increase self-awareness and stay grounded in the present moment. In my practice, I guide clients to explore their thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations as they arise, fostering a deeper understanding of how past experiences may influence current patterns. I use techniques such as guided awareness, role-play, and experiential exercises to support clients in expressing themselves more fully and authentically. This approach helps clients gain clarity, take ownership of their experiences, and develop more meaningful connections with themselves and others.
Motivational Interviewing
I use Motivational Interviewing (MI) to help clients explore ambivalence and strengthen their own motivation for change. In my practice, I take a collaborative, nonjudgmental approach, using open-ended questions, reflective listening, and affirming client strengths to support self-directed growth. MI allows clients to identify their personal values and goals while building confidence in their ability to make meaningful changes. I integrate this approach across treatment to enhance engagement and empower clients to move forward at their own pace.
Narrative
I incorporate Narrative Therapy to help clients explore the stories they hold about themselves and their experiences. In my practice, I support clients in identifying how certain narratives may contribute to distress and work collaboratively to reframe those stories in ways that highlight strengths, resilience, and personal agency. I often use techniques such as externalizing problems and exploring alternative perspectives, allowing clients to separate their identity from their challenges. This approach helps clients build a more empowering and meaningful understanding of themselves and their lives.