Licensed to practice in California and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, LGBTQ, Anger Management and 10 more.
(he/him)
New to Grow
I work with adults and couples experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, relationship difficulties, and trauma. I specialize in gender affirming care and Veteran mental health. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) my approach is centered on helping clients clarify what is maintaining their difficulties and develop practical and sustainable ways of shifting them. With my experience I understand how deeply our environments and histories impact our mental health. I don't believe in the one-size-fits all approach. Instead, I combine my clinical expertise with real-world strategies that fit your specific lifestyle. In our sessions, you'll find a balance of structured support and relaxed, honest conversation. Whatever you may be going through whether it’s stress, questions about yourself, or simply feeling overwhelmed know that you don’t have to navigate it alone. You deserve a space where you can explore your thoughts and experiences openly, with honesty and authenticity, and without fear of judgment. If this feels like the right fit for you, I would be honored.
During our first session I’ll review your intake form to make sure I’ve captured what you’ve shared. I want to hear what’s bringing you to therapy and get a sense of whether my approach feels right for you. If we decide to work together, I’ll briefly cover the administrative details (billing, cancellations, payments). Whenever possible, I prefer to spend most of the session starting the actual work rather than focusing on the administrative side
I offer a therapy grounded in both clinical training and lived experience: I grew up in the system, poor and often homeless, with parents who struggled with substance use, and I’ve navigated my own struggles with depression and anxiety. That history helps me meet you without judgment, recognizing survival strategies and trauma while staying rooted in evidence-based practices like CBT, DBT, ACT, and trauma-informed care. I’m real, humble, and human, I’ll validate your pain, share what’s helpful from my own perspective when it reduces shame, and hold honest, sometimes challenging space for growth. Therapy with me is collaborative: we learn from one another, I intentionally soften traditional power dynamics, and I balance practical skills and measurable steps with room for feeling, safety, and repair
My ideal client is someone who’s ready to be honest about where they’re struggling, whether that looks like anxiety, depression, burnout, chronic stress, relationship pain, a life transition, questions about gender, or needs related to LGBTQ+ identity or military service , but also wants a therapist who meets them as a real person. You might be tired of clinical distance and want someone who listens first, validates your experience, and offers practical, doable tools while holding space for hard feelings. You don’t have to be “fixed” or have everything figured out; you value collaboration, honesty, and a therapist who brings both evidence-based skills and lived-experience empathy, will challenge you when it matters, and supports you through identity exploration or medical/social transition with respect and advocacy.
Other specialties
I identify as
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is a short-term, practical way to help with things like anxiety, depression, stress, and relationship problems. The basic idea is simple: our thoughts, feelings, and actions all affect one another. If you’re thinking “I’ll fail,” you’ll likely feel hopeless and avoid trying , and that avoidance then reinforces the belief. In CBT we: Notice unhelpful thoughts and patterns (the automatic negative things your mind says). Test those thoughts by looking at the evidence and considering different, more balanced ways to think. Try small behavior changes or experiments to see what actually happens (practice, not just talk). Build practical skills you can use between sessions (breathing, scheduling, breaking tasks into steps, problem-solving). What to expect: Collaborative: we work together and set clear goals. Skill-focused: you’ll get tools and short homework to practice. Time-limited but flexible: many people notice change in a few weeks to months, depending on the issue. Real-world: it’s about making small, doable changes that lead to feeling better. Why it helps: it gives you a clearer understanding of how your mind and behavior maintain problems, plus concrete ways to change them so you feel more in control and less overwhelmed.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) is a practical, warm approach to help you live a meaningful life even when painful thoughts and feelings show up. Instead of trying to get rid of unpleasant experiences, ACT teaches you to make space for them while focusing on what matters to you. Core ideas Notice and accept: Allow thoughts and feelings to be there without fighting them, acceptance reduces their power. Make space from thoughts: Learn to step back from unhelpful thoughts so they don’t automatically control you (called cognitive defusion). Be present: Practice paying attention to the here and now, not getting lost in the past or the future. Know your values: Get clear about what matters most to you, who you want to be and how you want to live. Take committed action: Do small, concrete steps guided by your values, even when it feels uncomfortable. Sense of self: Build a stable noticing self that’s separate from the stories your mind tells. What to expect: Practical and experiential: lots of exercises, metaphors, and real-life practice rather than only talking. Collaborative: we work together to identify your values and set doable actions. Gentle but active: you’ll learn to tolerate discomfort while moving toward meaningful goals. Why it helps: ACT doesn’t promise to eliminate difficult feelings, but it helps you stop being ruled by them and instead build a life that feels true to you.
Gender-affirming therapy
Gender-affirming therapy is care that centers your gender experience and supports you in exploring, understanding, and living as your authentic self. It’s respectful, nonjudgmental, and driven by your goals , whether that’s exploring identity, navigating social or medical transition, coping with dysphoria, handling family or workplace issues, or building confidence and safety.
Strength-Based
A strengths-based approach focuses on your existing resources, skills, values, and resilience rather than only on problems or deficits. It assumes you already have abilities and capacities that can be built on to meet goals and recover from hardships