LCSW, 7 years of experience
New to Grow
I am a licensed clinical social worker in the state of California (LCSW 113586). I earned my Master of Social Work degree in 2019 from California State University, San Bernardino. Over the course of my career, I have had the privilege of working with diverse populations across the lifespan, including children, adolescents, transitional-age youth, adults, and older adults. My professional experience spans a variety of settings, such as schools, nonprofit community-based programs, county mental health programs, and secured facilities, allowing me to develop a broad understanding of the unique challenges individuals face at different stages of life. I have provided both therapeutic services and case management support to individuals experiencing a wide spectrum of mental health needs.
During our initial session, we will focus on getting to know one another and establishing a foundation of trust and rapport, which I view as a cornerstone of the therapeutic relationship. I believe that a strong connection built on mutual respect, understanding, and safety allows clients to feel heard, valued, and supported, creating the space necessary for meaningful growth and change. In addition to building rapport, we will explore your goals, expectations, and what you hope to achieve through therapy. I will also learn more about your experiences, symptoms, and motivations for seeking support. Together, we will begin to identify treatment goals and discuss strategies to help you work toward them. This first session is designed to be collaborative and supportive, setting the stage for a therapeutic process that is tailored to your unique needs and encourages both reflection and progress.
My greatest strengths as a therapist lie in my ability to build strong, trusting relationships and to create a safe and validating space where clients feel seen and supported. I am highly attuned to clients’ emotional needs and use a warm, collaborative style that encourages openness and self-exploration. What stands out about my therapeutic approach is my ability to integrate multiple evidence-based modalities such as attachment theory, CBT, DBT, psychodynamic principles, psychoeducation, humanistic theory and trauma-informed care in a way that fits each client’s unique needs. I balance empathy and support with gentle challenge, helping clients recognize and shift patterns that contribute to their current difficulties. Clients often report that they gain a deeper understanding of themselves, improved emotional regulation, and healthier ways of relating to others. I take pride in fostering meaningful, lasting change through insight, skill-building, and a secure therapeutic relationship.
My work primarily centers on supporting individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, relational issues, and the stressors that accompany major life transitions. I am passionate about helping clients build confidence, strengthen coping strategies, and enhance their relationships and overall quality of life. I have special interest in working with first responders, military personnel, and those in high stress, service oriented professions, and their families while drawing from my firsthand understanding of the unique challenges these communities face. These clients often experience the effects of trauma exposure, chronic stress, and the impact of their roles on mental health, relationships, and identity. My approach is grounded in empathy, respect, and an understanding of the demanding cultures they navigate. In addition, I specialize in working with justice involved individuals, families, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, providing an affirming, supportive, and nonjudgmental therapeutic environment. I help clients explore family dynamics, process trauma, and develop emotional regulation skills that foster lasting change. My ideal clients are individuals who are ready to engage in self-exploration and personal growth, even when that process feels challenging. Whether clients are seeking to manage symptoms of anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress; strengthen coping strategies; or reconnect with a sense of purpose and balance, I offer a safe, collaborative, and structured environment to support their goals. Ultimately, my aim is to help clients build resilience, restore emotional well-being, and develop the tools to thrive both personally and professionally.
In my individual therapy work, I integrate principles of attachment theory to help clients better understand the relational patterns that contribute to their current challenges and emotional distress. My experience with this approach has shown me that early attachment experiences often shape the ways individuals relate to themselves and others, influencing their sense of security, self-worth, and ability to manage emotional needs. Within sessions, I use attachment-informed interventions to both support and gently challenge clients as they explore these patterns. By identifying their attachment styles and the underlying fears or defenses that maintain dysfunction, clients can begin to develop healthier, more adaptive ways of relating. I view the therapeutic relationship itself as a key part of this process providing a secure base from which clients can safely examine past experiences, tolerate vulnerability, and build new relational capacities.
In my individual therapy practice, I incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and modify unhelpful patterns of thinking and behavior that contribute to their current level of dysfunction. My experience with CBT has demonstrated how increasing awareness of the connection between thoughts, emotions, and actions can empower clients to make meaningful changes in their daily lives. I use CBT techniques such as cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, and coping skills training to challenge distorted beliefs and encourage more adaptive responses. Sessions often focus on building insight into automatic thoughts, testing core beliefs, and developing practical strategies for managing distress. I also integrate mindfulness and emotion regulation skills when appropriate, helping clients build resilience and a greater sense of control over their experiences. Through this approach, I aim to create a collaborative, goal-oriented therapeutic environment that supports lasting cognitive and behavioral change.
I utilize Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help clients develop greater emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness. My experience with this approach has shown that DBT provides a structured and practical framework for clients who struggle with intense emotions, impulsive behaviors, or difficulties maintaining stable relationships. I incorporate DBT techniques to assist clients in understanding and managing their emotional responses while also challenging patterns that contribute to ongoing distress or dysfunction. In session, I focus on building awareness of emotional triggers, identifying ineffective coping strategies, and teaching concrete skills that promote balance between acceptance and change. The collaborative and validating nature of DBT aligns closely with my therapeutic style. I strive to create a supportive environment where clients feel understood while also being encouraged to take active steps toward behavioral and emotional growth. Through this integration, clients learn to navigate challenges more effectively and move toward a more stable and fulfilling life.
I incorporate a psychodynamic approach to help clients gain deeper insight into the unconscious processes, early life experiences, and relational patterns that influence their current emotions and behaviors. My experience with psychodynamic therapy has reinforced the importance of exploring the underlying meaning behind symptoms and the ways in which unresolved conflicts or past attachments continue to shape present functioning. I use this framework to help clients become more aware of recurring interpersonal dynamics and defense mechanisms that may contribute to their current level of distress. Within sessions, I pay close attention to transference and countertransference patterns, using the therapeutic relationship as a tool for reflection and growth. By creating a safe, attuned space for exploration, clients are able to uncover and work through the emotional roots of their struggles, fostering lasting insight and self-understanding. Through the integration of psychodynamic principles, I aim to help clients move beyond symptom relief toward deeper emotional awareness, healthier relationships, and a more cohesive sense of self.
I incorporate a trauma-informed approach to ensure that treatment is grounded in safety, trust, collaboration, and empowerment. My experience with trauma-informed care has highlighted the importance of understanding how past traumatic experiences can impact an individual’s sense of safety, emotional regulation, relationships, and overall functioning. I use this framework to guide both my clinical perspective and my interactions with clients. I focus on creating a therapeutic environment where clients feel physically and emotionally safe, respected, and in control of their healing process. I emphasize the development of coping skills, grounding techniques, and emotional regulation strategies to help clients manage trauma responses and rebuild a sense of stability. Throughout treatment, I remain mindful of potential triggers and work collaboratively with clients to strengthen resilience and restore a sense of empowerment. By integrating trauma-informed principles with other therapeutic modalities, I help clients process their experiences at a pace that feels safe and supportive, fostering growth, healing, and self-compassion.