In what ways does your personality influence your approach to therapy?
My personality outside the therapy session matches my personality in the session. I have always been an empathic, warm and non-judgemental person; this is natural and genuine for me which I believe clients can see and feel. I also have a sense of humor that can help build rapport and can make certain moments in session more relaxed and comfortable.
What does a first session with you look like?
During the first session I take time to answer my client's questions about any paperwork they signed, the therapy process or myself and my therapeutic style. I also want to understand what triggered a client to initiate therapy, as well as their short and long term therapy goals. It is important I get a full picture of my client's struggles and challenges, but also their strengths, as this will be a key component in making progress in therapy. I also obtain a relevant history of each client in order to understand the contributing factors to how a person is currently coping, feeling and acting. My conceptualization and treatment plan begins by the end of the first session, but evolves as therapy progresses.
If there was one thing you wish people knew about the therapy experience who might be hesitant to try it, what would that be?
I think people are often hesitant to start therapy because they fear they will be judged by the therapist or that going to therapy is a sign of weakness. I would like people to know that a therapist's role is to help understand their clients, not judge them. People should know that therapists who have been in practice for a number of years have probably seen and heard everything and you are not alone with what you are struggling with. Also, knowing you need additional support and seeking out that help is a sign of strength and courage, never weakness
Specialties
Eating disorders
Distressing or complicated relationship with food that can lead to isolation, fear, and death. Could manifest as eating too much or too little and generally stems from someone’s complicated relationships with food or their body.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a condition that is precipitated by a perceived terrifying event. This event need not occur directly to the person but may happen vicariously—having seen something terrible happen to another person. The condition may last months or years while symptoms include ruminating thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, intense anxiety when triggered, and potential substance abuse in attempt to cope.
Trauma
Trauma is the result of experiencing a perceived, extremely distressful event. Although the stress threshold for each person differs, meaning that each person considers and experiences trauma differently, it is an event that tops one’s threshold. It exceeds one’s ability to cope or emotionally process. Symptoms may include shock, anxiety, confusion, hopelessness, feeling disconnected, mood swings, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts.
General Expertise
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.
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.
Social Anxiety
Social anxiety or social phobia is fear of social situations or a fear of interacting with people other than close friends and family. Social anxiety can be persistent, intense, and debilitating, greatly affecting daily life.
Abuse/Survivors of abuse
Abuse includes any significant mistreatment along the lines of psychical, emotional, sexual, verbal, and neglect. Survivors of abuse may experience negative thoughts and feelings, flashbacks, distrust of others, social withdrawal, self-harm, and increased likelihood of developing mental health and substance abuse issues.
Fees
$125
First Session
$125
Family Therapy
$125
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Family Session
Individual Session
Clientele
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Adolescents (13-17)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Mindfulness Practices
Strength Based Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Humanistic Therapy
Internal Family Systems Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Training / Certifications
I am a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS). I also hold certifications in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and The NeuroSequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT). I am trained in EMDR and Internal Family Systems (IFS).
Licensure
CA, Psychologist, PSY22328
Education
Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D) in Clinical Psychology with a sub-emphasis in Child, Adolescent and Family Therapy from Alliant International University in Los Angeles
Work History
Throughout my years in practice, I have gained experience working with various populations in several different settings. I started my career working in a psychiatric hospital, where my primary specialty was in crisis intervention and assessing whether a patient met criteria for an involuntary hold (5150). I have had about 12 years of experience working in community mental health settings with children, teens, families and adults. The years spent working in community mental health afforded me the opportunity to gain significant experience in treating numerous anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, conduct disorders and personality disorders. Working in community mental health also sparked the desire to develop specialties in trauma, family therapy and eating disorders. I have been in private practice for 5 years and continue to learn and grow from each client I see, which inspires me to continue my training and expertise so that I may be the most effective psychologist for each of my clients.
Location
PO BOX 3605, Big Bear Lake, 92315, CA