New to Grow
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology, bringing over five years of experience in providing individual, family, and group therapy. My therapeutic background includes working with probation youth, couples, families, and individuals in both residential and outpatient settings. I specialize in helping clients navigate challenges such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, relationship struggles, and identity exploration. I use a variety of therapeutic modalities, including CBT, psychodynamic, and humanistic approaches, to help clients improve emotional regulation, build healthier relationships, and foster personal growth. In addition to my work as a therapist, I am currently the Workplace Violence Prevention Program Manager at UCLA Health, where I manage complex behavioral and safety-related issues. This role enhances my ability to address crisis situations and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, skills that I bring to my therapy practice to help clients navigate difficult life transitions and improve their mental well-being.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session, you can expect a warm and welcoming environment where I’ll introduce myself and provide an overview of how we will work together. We’ll begin by discussing the limits of confidentiality and reviewing informed consent to ensure you feel comfortable and informed throughout the process. The first session is primarily focused on getting to know you better, understanding your concerns, and gathering key information that will guide our work together. It’s an opportunity to build rapport, so you can feel comfortable sharing and we can begin developing a plan that’s tailored to your unique needs.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
What stands out about my therapeutic approach is my adaptability and focus on building strong, trusting relationships with my clients. While we always begin with clear treatment goals, I recognize that life is dynamic, and things evolve. The goals we set in the first few weeks may shift as we progress, and I’m committed to being flexible and responsive to the changes you bring into our sessions. Above all, I believe that what clients want most from therapy is to feel understood—to know that someone truly gets where they’re coming from. My diverse life and professional experiences have helped me connect with individuals from all walks of life. Having been an athlete, lived in a foreign country, worked as a therapist in high-risk settings, and served in violence prevention at a major university, I’ve gained a unique ability to empathize with people facing a wide range of challenges. This varied background enables me to bring a deep sense of understanding, whether you’re navigating personal struggles, professional transitions, or complex life changes.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I work with individuals from all walks of life, but my background—working with law enforcement for 4 years and as a former professional football player—has given me a unique perspective and passion for supporting current and former law enforcement, first responders, and military members. I’m especially passionate about helping clients navigate depression, anxiety, relationship struggles, family dynamics, and identity exploration. I’m particularly passionate about helping retired athletes and first responders explore and establish a new sense of purpose and identity as they transition to life beyond their careers. My goal is to help clients build resilience, find clarity, and create lasting change so they can lead fulfilling, balanced lives, both personally and professionally.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I have over 6 years of experience using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) across various settings, including residential treatment for probation youth, outpatient clinics, and crisis response with the Sheriff's Department. In individual, family, and group therapy, I've utilized CBT to address issues such as anxiety, depression, and emotional regulation by helping clients identify and challenge negative thought patterns and develop healthier coping strategies. I’ve also applied CBT techniques in high-pressure crisis situations, supporting families dealing with severe mental illness to manage immediate emotional reactions and reframe distressing thoughts.
Psychodynamic
I integrate psychodynamic principles to help individuals explore unconscious patterns and past experiences that may influence their current behaviors and emotional struggles. This approach is particularly beneficial for clients who can benefit from a non-directive, insight-oriented process, allowing them to uncover deeper self-awareness. For others, I combine psychodynamic work with more structured, directive approaches like CBT, depending on their needs, to balance insight with practical symptom relief.
Humanistic
I use a humanistic approach to therapy, prioritizing the therapeutic relationship as a foundation for change. Building a strong rapport is essential for creating a safe, empathetic environment where clients feel truly heard and understood. For many individuals, the relationship itself becomes a key driver of progress, allowing for greater self-exploration, personal growth, and healing. This approach aligns with my belief that clients have the capacity for self-directed growth when given the support and validation they need.