Licensed to practice in California and accepts 64 insurances. Specializes in Family Therapy, Grief, Mood Disorders and 10 more.
Often rebooked
My professional journey is rooted in human growth. I hold a Bachelor's in English, a Master's in Counseling and Psychology, and a Doctorate in Behavioral Health. Originally, I thought I was going to be a teacher, but shifted gears as I wanted to be able to give more and help more. I believe we are all lifelong learners so I still get to teach, but also be a partner, guide, support person, sounding board, advocate, and so much more! My clinical philosophy is built on three pillars: choice, change, and hope. Choice is always available, change is always possible, and, without hope, we have nothing. Hope encourages us to keep going; making those choices and those changes that will improve our overall quality of life and wellbeing.
I like to compare a first therapy session to an interview. Much like an interview, we are both gathering information to determine if our communication styles, personalities, and goals align. I will be asking questions in order to gain information about you and what you are seeking in therapy, and I encourage you to ask questions of me as well. We won't be able to cover everything in the first session, but we will be able to gain a sense of whether or not we are a good match to work together...because that is exactly what we will be doing- WORK! Building a strong therapeutic relationship is essential as progress requires openness, honesty, and a willingness to grow. If you are ready to explore, bring your questions to our first session.
One of my biggest strengths as a therapist is my ability to quickly connect with others. As an attentive and active listener, I pay close attention to details; what's said and what's left unsaid. I weave personality, humor, and life experiences into my approach in order to show you that I am also just a regular, 'ole human. I work hard to ensure we have a strong, trusting relationship so that I am able to offer suggestions, teach you, challenge you, hold you accountable, and cheer with you. My personality and approach is direct, yet flexible. Overall, I am easy going and able to customize my approach dependent on your needs. I value feedback, and encourage you to speak up if I am saying or doing something that is not working for you. This is your time, your money, and your journey. Invest in YOU!!
I have worked with clients from a wide array of backgrounds- different ages, genders, races, sexual orientations, stages of life, views, values, morals, religions, spiritualities, employment, disabilities, and socioeconomic status. My ideal client regardless of background is one that is interested in exploration and growth, which involves learning and work; someone that wants to understand their decision making and behaviors, is interested in being introspection, is ready to make positive changes, is interested in learning new skills, and is looking to add to their support system. I work best with the following: *Ages 12-80+ *Mood Disorders- including depression, anxiety, OCD, & Bipolar *Behavioral Issues-including school issues *Crisis- including suicidal ideation, self-harm, post-hospitalization *Skill building- including communication, parenting, organization, coping, self-esteem & confidence, career expansion or change *Individuals taking psychotropic medications *Foster Care & Adoption *Families *Parents & Caregivers *Life Transitions *Disabilities- including medical, intellectual, and learning *Criminal Justice involved individuals *First time therapy goers *Individuals that have tried therapy before and had a poor experience
Other specialties
I identify as
Cash - $100 per session
Aetna
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Medicare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
All Savers
Amerihealth Administrators
Amerihealth NJ Medicare Advantage
Anthem
Arlo
AvMed
Blue Cross
Blue Shield
Blue Shield of California - Medicare
Carelon Behavioral Health (Commercial)
Centivo
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
EAP:UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Evernorth
Gold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
Gold Coast Health Plan Total Care Advantage (HMO D-SNP)
Golden Rule
GTEB
Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare
Health Plan of San Joaquin/Mountain Valley Health Plan – Medi-Cal
Humana - Medicare
Humana Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
IHSS Healthy Workers
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
Independence Keystone 65 HMO
Independence Personal Choice 65 PPO
L.A. Care Covered
L.A. Care Covered Direct
L.A. Care Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
L.A. Care Medicare Plus (HMO D-SNP)
L.A. Care PASC-SEIU
Optum
OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
Oscar
Oxford
Partnership HealthPlan of California (Medi-Cal)
San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
Santa Clara Family Health Plan - Medi-Cal
Scripps Health Plan
SFHP Care Plus (HMO D-SNP)
Sharp Health Plan
Surest (formerly Bind)
Sutter Health Plan
Tufts Health/Cigna
United Medical Resources
UnitedHealthcare Complete Care (C-SNP)
UnitedHealthcare Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance
UnitedHealthcare Shared Services
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicare
Humanistic
Being a human centered or client center therapist is my home base. This is the theory that grounds me and where I work from. I provide a non-judgmental, empathetic, and understanding approach for all clients. I offer unconditional positive regard to all clients. In my opinion, the therapeutic relationship and rapport built between client and therapist is the strongest tool in the room. Yes, I can, and will, bring other tools in as deemed appropriate, however, if I bring a plunger to an electrician, this is not helpful. I allow you to be the expert in the room on you; teaching me what I need to know so that I can select the right tools for you.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
Some clients need lots of processing, some need some processing and some solutions, some want solutions and they want them now! I can work with each of these types of clients. For those that are looking for relief, change, and movement, I pull from solution focused tools and techniques, which include utilizing brainstorming, scaling, problem solving, and implementing work outside of sessions.
Grief Therapy
We all experience loss, from miniscule to major, multiple times throughout our life span. And loss does not just include people. It includes pets, jobs, finances, homes, belongings, physical and mental abilities, freedom, and independence. Grief will never cease to exist, however, I can help you understand how grief impacts you so you can learn to manage it when it appears; to ride the waves instead of drowning in them.
Existential
Existential theory focuses on the present, focuses on increasing self-awareness, normalizes anxiety, encourages authenticity, encourages creating meaning and purpose, and employs the power of choice. If any of the previously mentioned areas are a place you want to focus, learn, and grow in, I'm your gal!
Family Therapy
I have worked with families that come in all shapes and sizes. I work individually with minor children and adult children, individually with parents, and all together as a family unit. This is all dependent on your need, of course. My areas of focus are behavior change, learning new and/or improving parenting skills, developing new, healthy family practices, learning new and/or improving communication skills, learning how to deescalate and manage conflict, process ruptures and engage in repair work, and working with those moody teens that no one seems to fully understand.