LCSW, 40 years of experience
New to Grow
I have been working with children, families, and adults for over 40 years. My counseling work began following intensive training at the UCLA Child Outpatient Clinic in Los Angeles. After earning a master's degree in social work from USC, I continued clinical work in a variety of settings including pediatric offices, outpatient clinics, and residential treatment. I completed a fellowship in Infant Parent Mental Health and studied under the late Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, MD, Dr. Edward Tronick, PhD, and Dr. Kristie Brandt, in Napa, California. I moved on to complete a specialist degree in school psychology and master's degree in education from Chapman University. I then worked as a school psychologist in public schools for nearly 20 years, during which time I completed a doctoral degree in educational psychology at Alliant International University and became board certified in school neuropsychology through the American Board of School Neuropsychology. I have held teaching posts, providing instruction to students enrolled in the master's degree in Social Work program at California State University, Long Beach. I am the current President of the Central Coast Association of School Psychologists
In our first session, we’ll take time to explore what brought you to therapy and begin to understand the challenges you’re facing. Together, we’ll determine the most appropriate next steps to address your concerns and start identifying what you hope to achieve through counseling. As we continue our work, we’ll build clarity through open conversation and reflection, uncovering the many factors that may be contributing to your current difficulties. From there, we’ll set meaningful goals and outline practical steps to help you move toward them. Counseling is often described as a journey—one that can shift and evolve as your life circumstances, strengths, and supports change. My role is to walk beside you on that journey, offering guidance, insight, and encouragement. My approach focuses on helping you build self-confidence, strengthen your inner resources, and develop the capacity to meet life’s challenges with greater resilience and balance.
My strengths lie in a deep commitment to my clients, a skilled and attentive listening style, and warm, authentic communication. I believe that a trusting and respectful therapeutic relationship is the foundation for meaningful change. My work is grounded in both extensive training and years of experience, allowing me to balance empathy with evidence-based practice. Clients have consistently shared that they feel understood, respected, and genuinely cared for, and that our work together has helped them gain valuable insights and a renewed sense of hope. I recognize that each individual is unique, and no single approach fits everyone. My commitment is to collaborate with you in finding the most effective path toward growth, relief, and renewed joy—discovering the keys that open doors to your well-being and potential.
I entered this profession because I truly care about helping others learn, grow, and thrive. There’s something deeply meaningful about walking beside people as they work through life’s challenges and begin to see their own strength and resilience emerge. I find it incredibly fulfilling to help clients who are feeling hurt, confused, anxious, disconnected, or overwhelmed. We all experience moments when life feels heavier than we can manage alone — and that’s where therapy can make such a difference. My goal is to offer a warm, supportive space where you can feel seen, heard, and understood, without judgment. In our work together, I’ll help you explore what’s been holding you back, gain new insights about yourself, and develop tools to move forward with more clarity and confidence. I believe that with compassion, curiosity, and the right support, healing and growth are always possible.
I have used CBT for approximately 15 years with children and adults. My approach is to work with clients to understand perceptions, identify maladaptive thought patterns, and address such thought patterns to alleviate symptoms. I have used this with adults and children in play therapy.
I have worked with children and adults with a history of traumatic experiences including injuries, but also child abuse histories. I work to first assess the impact of the trauma on a client's functioning. When significant impact is clear, I work with clients to process the trauma to reduce anxiety, shame, and fear and develop coping and relationship tools.
For all clients, I maintain curiosity and mindfulness regarding a clients cultural differences and patterns and how understanding this part of an individual guides intervention and helps with understanding needs, and concerns.
I have decades of experience in working with clients with suicidal thoughts and self harm behaviors. I am skilled at conducting suicide risk assessments and working with clients to develop a safety plan, which does include some aspects of CBT. In addition, I understand the maladaptive thought patterns that often coincide with depression and use by psychoeducation and counseling to help clients change maladaptive thought patterns that are known to coincide with depression.
My approach is warm and empathic. I have decades of experience practicing counseling strategies to communicate accurate empathy and form positive professional relationships with clients.