What is your style/approach to therapy?
My therapeutic style is rooted in cognitive behavioral therapies, integrating aspects of acceptance, compassion, and mindfulness. I focus on helping my clients make actionable changes in their lives and do so from a nonjudgemental, direct, and honest approach. My goal is to work collaboratively with my clients to build upon their strengths and tailor therapy to fit their unique goals and needs.
In what ways does your personality influence your approach to therapy?
I am a strong believer in bringing myself and my personality into the therapy room, and I truly think that is a huge part of what allows me to build such great rapport and solid relationships with my clients. I would describe my personality as honest, genuine, compassionate, open, curious, direct, confident, and loyal. These characteristics, along with my strong family and cultural values, have greatly influenced my approach to therapy because I am 100% my truest self with my clients. I believe this allows my clients to feel comfortable and safe being their truest selves in therapy with me, and that is when real change happens.
What impact did the scope and/or focus of your education have on your current work as a therapist?
My education and training in health psychology and behavioral medicine has allowed me to be equipped to help clients navigate and address problems they may be facing in a short period of time. From my experience in medical and hospital settings, I have a deep understanding of how mental health issues can manifest from a variety of physical health conditions. This understanding has guided me to develop a therapeutic approach that emphasizes the mind-body connection and focuses on improving ones' overall quality of life. Whether it's anxiety, depression, stress, sleep problems, difficulty losing weight, trauma, pain, and so much more, I've been privileged to have the opportunity to help so many make lasting changes to improve both their mental and physical health, and my hope is that I continue to do so with future clients.
Specialties
Depression
Depression often causes people to feel sad, empty, or hopeless, and can cause a lack of interest in life. It can also affect a person's thinking patterns and physical health.
Anxiety
Anxiety can mean nervousness, worry, or self-doubt. Anxiety disorder is a mental health disorder that entails excessive, repeated bouts of worry, anxiety, and/or fear.
Chronic illness
Persisting health conditions causing significant barriers to daily functioning as well as discrepancies in how society responds to disabilities. Can impact people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and lead to feelings of isolation, uncertainty, and helplessness.
College & graduate student issues
Issues arising from being in a new environment or away from home for the first time. College-aged kids have the highest rates of mental illness, suffering things like stress, anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, and substance abuse.
Sleep & insomnia issues
Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking frequently. While it can be a normal response to stress, it can also lead to feelings of dissatisfaction and distress, as well as behavioral difficulties.
General Expertise
Work Stress
Workplace issues are a common source of stress and can include interpersonal conflict, communication problems, gossip, harassment, discrimination, low motivation and job satisfaction, performance issues, and poor job fit.
Relationship Issues
Refers relationship issues with a partner or spouse. Can include issues related to relationship distress, relationship satisfaction, communication, intimacy, etc.
Loss/Grief
Grief is a reaction to an emotionally significant loss and often comes with symptoms of depression or anxiety. These symptoms can remain intense and last for a long time after a loss, making it difficult to move forward with a healthy lifestyle.
Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is the degree to which a person feels confident, valuable, and worthy of respect. Feeling low self-esteem can influence overall well-being and be linked to anxiety and/or depression.
Race & Cultural Identity
Challenges around race and cultural identity vary enormously, including issues related to discrimination, racism, and intergenerational trauma.
Fees
$200
First Session
$200
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Individual Session
Clientele
Parents
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Seniors (65+)
Adolescents (13-17)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Strength Based Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Person-Centered Therapy
Prolonged Exposure Therapy
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Licensure
CA, Psychologist, 32071
Education
PsyD, Clinical Psychology, Midwestern University
Work History
My career as a psychologist began upon completion of an APA-accredited internship at Southwest Behavioral & Health Services in a secured, level one inpatient facility in Phoenix, Arizona where I worked with individuals in crisis, including people who were suicidal, in danger of harming others, or struggling with substance use. My post-doctoral fellowship was at San Mateo Medical Center in California where I received specialized training in health psychology and behavioral medicine. At SMMC, I treated individuals in a primary care setting with a variety of presenting concerns, including depression, anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, weight management, relationship issues, stress, coping with medical illnesses, caregiver stress, chronic pain, and more. Prior to these experiences, I worked with adolescents in a school for children with emotional and behavioral challenges, a pediatric neuropsychology & integrative counseling center, and a rehabilitation hospital working with patients with chronic illness, physical injuries, and brain injuries. I have training in several evidence-based treatments including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression/Anxiety (CBT-D) and Insomnia (CBT-I); Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT); Motivational Interviewing (MI); Dialectal Behavioral Therapy (DBT); and mindfulness-based therapies.