(she/her)
My journey into mental health care began with a deep curiosity about the human experience and a strong desire to help others through their most vulnerable moments. I started my career over 27 years ago in emergency and trauma nursing, where I often saw the profound connection between physical crises and emotional pain. Over time, I realized that true healing goes far beyond treating physical symptoms, it requires understanding the whole person: their mind, body, and environment. I went on to earn my Doctorate in Nursing Practice from the University of San Diego and received formal psychiatric training at the University of California, San Diego. These experiences deepened my commitment to a comprehensive, biopsychosocial approach to care. Today, as a triple board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner, I feel incredibly privileged to support individuals in finding resilience, meaning, and balance in their lives. Mental health is deeply personal, and I strive to create a compassionate, collaborative space where people feel truly seen and supported.
In our first session, my goal is to create a calm, supportive space where you feel comfortable sharing what brings you in. We’ll begin by talking about your current concerns, personal history, and what you hope to gain from therapy. I take a collaborative approach, so we move at a pace that feels right for you as there’s no pressure to share more than you’re ready to. Together, we’ll start identifying patterns in your thoughts, emotions, and experiences using a biopsychosocial lens, exploring how your mind, body, and environment may be influencing your well-being. I’ll also explain my therapeutic approach and how we can tailor sessions to best support your goals. By the end of our first meeting, my hope is that you’ll feel heard, understood, and encouraged with a clearer sense of what our work together can look like and how we can begin moving toward healing and balance.
One of my greatest strengths as a psychiatric provider is my ability to integrate both medical expertise and deep psychotherapeutic understanding through a biopsychosocial approach. I don’t just focus on symptoms, I take time to understand the whole person: their history, biology, environment, and emotional world. My background in trauma and emergency critical care has given me a strong foundation in both crisis care and compassionate listening, allowing me to meet clients where they are with steadiness and empathy. What stands out about my therapeutic approach is the depth and collaboration of the work. I blend evidence-based psychotherapy with thoughtful medication management when needed, always prioritizing safety and long-term wellness. My clients often share that they feel truly seen and supported, and that our work helps them uncover lasting changes in how they think, feel, and connect with others.
I’m best positioned to serve adults who are navigating the complex intersections of trauma, stress, and life transitions, especially those who have spent years caring for others while neglecting their own emotional needs. Many of my clients are high-achieving, thoughtful individuals who appear composed on the outside but are quietly struggling with anxiety, burnout, or unresolved pain beneath the surface. I work well with those who value self-awareness and are ready to explore not just what they feel, but why they feel it. My approach integrates psychotherapy within a biopsychosocial framework, meaning I look at how biological factors (genetics and brain chemistry), psychological patterns (including thoughts, emotions, and past experiences), and social dynamics (relationships and environment) all interact to shape well-being. This holistic perspective allows me to tailor care that not only relieves symptoms but also promotes lasting emotional growth and resilience. Whether you’re hoping to quiet an overactive mind, heal from the past, or reconnect with a deeper sense of meaning and purpose, I aim to provide a supportive and nonjudgmental space where real change can take root.
Psychoanalytic
I integrate psychoanalytic therapy within a biopsychosocial framework to understand the complex interplay between mind, body, and environment. Through this approach, I help clients uncover the deeper, often unconscious patterns that influence their emotions, relationships, and behaviors, fostering insight, healing, and meaningful, lasting change.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
In my psychotherapy practice, I incorporate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients build psychological flexibility and resilience. Through this approach, individuals learn to accept difficult emotions, let go of unhelpful struggles, and commit to actions that align with their personal values, fostering greater balance, meaning, and emotional well-being.
Compassion Focused
I often integrate Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) to help clients cultivate self-kindness, emotional balance, and inner strength. This approach encourages individuals to develop compassion toward themselves and others, reducing shame and self-criticism while fostering a deeper sense of safety, connection, and emotional healing.
Interpersonal
I also utilize Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) to address the connection between mood and relationships. By exploring patterns in communication, attachment, and social functioning, clients learn healthier ways to navigate conflict, build support, and strengthen meaningful relationships—ultimately improving both emotional well-being and interpersonal satisfaction.