(they/them)
Hi, I’m a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) based in California. I have a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision and over a decade of experience working with adults navigating anxiety, intrusive thoughts, life transitions, and patterns that feel difficult to shift. Many of the people I work with are thoughtful, self-aware, and have already spent time trying to understand themselves, but still feel stuck in certain cycles or responses. My approach focuses on how we make meaning of our experiences and how those meanings shape behavior, emotion, and decision-making over time. I work from a perspective that respects different ways of thinking, living, and making meaning, including neurodivergence, trauma experiences, and LGBTQ+ identities. I do not approach therapy as a process of correcting who someone is, but rather understanding how their internal system works and identifying where change is actually possible and useful. I use evidence-based practices like CBT, DBT, and ERP, but I don’t treat therapy as a set of techniques to apply to you. Instead, these tools are used in a way that fits your specific patterns, goals, and way of thinking. My work is structured, collaborative, and focused on helping you create changes that are both meaningful and sustainable in your daily life.
In our first session, we will focus on getting a clear understanding of what is bringing you in and what feels stuck or unresolved. This is not just about listing symptoms or recent events. I will ask questions that help us understand how you are making sense of what is happening, how you have been responding, and what you have already tried. Many people come into therapy having already done a significant amount of thinking or self-reflection, so we will build from that rather than starting from scratch. We will also clarify what you want to be different. Sometimes people come in with a clear goal, and other times the goal is less defined but there is a strong sense that something needs to change. Either way, part of the first session is identifying what direction would actually feel meaningful and useful to you, not just what seems like it “should” be the goal. From there, we begin building a plan. This does not mean a rigid or overly structured roadmap, but it does mean we are intentional about how we use our time. Therapy with me is active and collaborative. You can expect to be heard and understood, and also to be guided toward noticing patterns, testing new ways of responding, and making adjustments that support the changes you are looking for. If you are someone who has felt stuck in repeating cycles, overthinking, avoidance, or internal conflict, we will begin identifying where those patterns are coming from and what it would look like to shift them in a way that actually holds over time.
I bring clarity and direction to the work while maintaining a nonjudgmental space to make sense of complex patterns and move them forward. Many of the people I work with are thoughtful, insightful, and have already spent time trying to understand themselves, but still find themselves caught in the same loops. One of my strengths is recognizing those patterns quickly and accurately, even when they are subtle, layered, or difficult to put into words. I am able to track how thoughts, emotional responses, behaviors, and underlying meanings connect, and to reflect those patterns back in a way that is both clear and usable. Clients often find that things begin to make sense in a more organized and coherent way, rather than feeling scattered or disconnected. That clarity becomes the starting point for meaningful change. My clinical training, research background, and doctoral work shape how I understand patterns and guide change. I pay close attention to how patterns are formed, what maintains them over time, and where change is actually possible. Rather than applying techniques in a general way, I use them intentionally and with precision, based on how your specific system operates. This allows us to move beyond describing what is happening and into actively working with it in a focused and effective way. A central part of my work involves identifying the meanings that are driving your internal experiences. People are often not reacting only to situations themselves, but to what those situations represent. These meanings can be shaped by past experiences, learned expectations, or internal rules that may no longer be useful but still influence how you respond. When those meanings remain unexamined or rigid, they can quietly maintain patterns that feel difficult to change. I help you bring those meanings into awareness and then work with them in a way that creates flexibility rather than constraint. My work is both reflective and change-oriented. That means we are not only making sense of your experiences, but also actively testing and building new ways of responding. This might include practicing different responses to situations, shifting how you relate to your thoughts, increasing your ability to tolerate discomfort, or interrupting patterns that no longer serve you. I also pay close attention to what actually holds over time. Insight without change tends to fade, and change that does not fit how you naturally think or operate tends not to last. Because of this, our work is focused on building changes that are both meaningful and sustainable. Clients who work with me are typically looking to understand themselves at a deeper level and make meaningful changes in how they think, feel, and respond. Over time, this often leads to increased flexibility, a stronger sense of direction, and the ability to move through situations that previously felt stuck or repetitive.
I work best with people who are thoughtful and self-aware but feel stuck in patterns they can’t shift on their own. Many have already spent time trying to understand themselves and are looking for a more structured, active approach. They are open to exploring how they make meaning of their experiences and are willing to try new ways of responding, even when it feels uncomfortable. They are not just looking to vent, but to understand what’s happening and make meaningful, lasting changes.
Other specialties
I identify as
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
As a therapist, I integrate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help clients build practical skills for managing emotions, improving relationships, and increasing distress tolerance. I focus on creating a validating, nonjudgmental space while supporting clients in making meaningful behavioral changes aligned with their values.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns, develop healthier ways of thinking, and take actionable steps toward their goals. My approach emphasizes collaboration, self-awareness, and building lasting coping strategies for everyday life.
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
I use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) to help clients confront feared thoughts, images, and situations while resisting the urge to engage in compulsive behaviors. Through structured, supportive exposure work, clients build confidence in their ability to tolerate uncertainty and reduce anxiety over time.
Trauma Informed Care
I practice from a trauma-informed lens, recognizing the widespread impact of trauma and the importance of safety, choice, and collaboration in the therapeutic relationship. I prioritize creating a respectful, empowering environment where clients can explore their experiences at their own pace and rebuild trust in themselves and others.