If there was one thing you wish people knew about the therapy experience who might be hesitant to try it, what would that be?
That therapy is often not what it appears in the movies or T.V shows (or at least with me it is not). Therapy can be fun. It is hard work, but the process of self-discovery and healing can be amazing and life-changing.
What would be important for someone to know about working with you?
I view therapy as a very collaborative thing. Though I am the expert of human behavior, you are the expert of your life. I want to hear about your experience of life, your pain, and your hopes and dreams. I am genuine and it is not uncommon that I will be laughing with you, crying with you, and getting angry alongside with you...and if swearing is your thing, you will sometimes hear me swear as well :) . I see one of my most important jobs as helping my clients to feel seen, heard, and validated.
In what ways have your personal experiences influenced your work with your clients?
I am a mother of four young kids. I was a teen mother. My oldest child was born 9 weeks early. I had high-risk pregnancies. I experienced postpartum depression and anxiety in some form after the birth of all of my children. When I reflect on my personal experiences, I remember the feelings, the pain, the confusion, then the hope, and finally the beauty of that time in my life. It is my passion helping other mothers navigate the sometimes rocky road of pregnancy and motherhood and to get them to a place of peace. Another major part of my life was spent in college....10 years to be exact..but who is counting :) I understand the difficulties and pressures that college students face that go beyond just school work . Things like anxiety, depression, substance use, identity development, being away from home, relationship/ sex stuff, and career development are topics I process with my clients frequently.
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.
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.
Postpartum depression
Postpartum depression is a form of depression that occurs after childbirth. It may stem from hormonal changes that naturally occur in the body, emotional instability, and/or cognitive factors. Anxiety, crying, emotional outbursts, and mood swings are common symptoms. The condition may last months or longer and increases the likelihood of developing major depressive disorder later in life.
Pregnancy, perinatal, & postpartum issues
Pregnancy, perinatal, and postpartum issues entail any real or perceived problems or difficulties stemming from the childbirth experience. Pregnancy, perinatal, and postpartum experiences are stressful in many positive and negative ways while the physical body experiences immense stress. Situations vary but may be remedied through therapy and support.
Women's issues
Women’s health is regarded as the holistic being and experience of being female. This extends beyond consideration for illness and other complex conditions but to general considerations of physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Issues may include female oppression, socialized gender role, female reproductive issues, motherhood, body image, divorce, and substance use.
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.
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.
Addiction
Regular involvement with a substance or activity in a compulsive, hard to control way that often has harmful consequences. Often refers to substance use, but can include compulsive behaviors such as sex, gambling, or shopping.
Adolescent mental health
Adolescent mental health focuses on adolescent-specific experiences including physical and cognitive development, social and environmental factors, sex, sexual identification and orientation, emotional processing, and substance use. Given the influence that parents/guardians have on adolescents, home life is a particularly important consideration.
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.
Fees
$210
First Session
$230
Family Therapy
$230
Couples Therapy
$90
Group Therapy
$210
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Individual Session
Couples Session
Group Session
Family Session
Clientele
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Children (5-12)
Adolescents (13-17)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Mindfulness Practices
Attachment-Based Therapy
Emotionally Focused Therapy
Family Systems Therapy
Gestalt Therapy
Training / Certifications
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders Advanced Training
Licensure
CA, Psychologist, 31845
Education
Doctor of Psychology, Clinical Psychology, California Southern University
MA, Clinical Psychology, California Lutheran University
BA, Clinical Psychology, California State University, Northridge
Location
1209 Park Street, Suite 301B, Paso Robles, 93446, CA