What do you view as a key component of the therapeutic relationship?
I really value the ongoing development of the therapeutic relationship. We take up space in therapy talking about what was liked/not liked, offensive, didn't land right, or what you may want to ask for but don't know how. I believe that this type of honesty can birth deeper attachment and transformation.
What was your path to becoming a therapist? What inspired you to choose this profession?
Growing up I navigated complex institutional/religious trauma, and enmeshed family dynamics with undiagnosed mental health issues. These experiences inspired my work as a therapist to stop the tabooed culture and stigma around identifying trauma, that allows others to heal and break free from it. My background in Social Work has fueled my passion to disrupting harmful systems of oppression that get internalized into our thoughts and bodies. I hope that we can begin the conversation that unlocks your liberation and healing.
Specialties
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.
Relationship Issues
Refers relationship issues with a partner or spouse. Can include issues related to relationship distress, relationship satisfaction, communication, intimacy, etc.
Attachment issues
Children that experience parents and/or guardians that are avoidant, ambivalent, or resistant from an early age, may develop attachment issues. This can manifest as difficulty forming or maintaining friendships, romantic relationships and empathetic bonds throughout life, as well as other issues.
Body image issues
Due to continued exposure to images of “normal” or “desired” body types, people can develop a range of positive or negative emotions about their appearance causing anxiety, depression, or eating disorders.
Codependency
Involves a person sacrificing their needs to meet the needs of others. Their thoughts and actions center on a significant other, spouse, friend, or relative. Becomes an issue when relationships are unbalanced and unhealthy.
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.
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.
Caregiver stress & support
Caring for a friend or family member (paid or unpaid) includes emotional support, housework, help with finances, medication management, and shopping. Can be stressful, making caregivers more vulnerable to things like anxiety, isolation, and fatigue.
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.
Fees
$150
First Session
$180
Couples Therapy
$146
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Couples Session
Individual Session
Clientele
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Internal Family Systems Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy
Somatic Therapy
Training / Certifications
Internal Family Systems (Pesi, Inc)
Somatic Attachment Therapy Certificate (April 2022)
Licensure
CA, LCSW, 107354
Education
Masters of Social Work
Work History
I have come along side people of various background, and walks of life all struggling for relief and healing. Whether that be in community mental health agencies working with trauma, addiction, self-worth, mood disorders or parenting support ; or in private practice settings with victims of crime, grief/loss, anxiety, religious trauma, perinatal/postpartum depression, couples therapy, & women's issues.
Location
Long Beach, 90807, CA