What would be important for someone to know about working with you?
You deserve to feel welcomed, respected and empowered to be whoever you are, at all times and in any relationship you are in. When working with me, my main priority in our therapeutic relationship would be for you to feel safe, unconditionally supported, cared for and understood. If you chose me as a therapist, I would feel honoured and committed to guide you in your own self discovery and self acceptance healing journey.
What does success look like in therapy? How will a client know that they are making progress?
When therapy is successful, clients might start to appreciate themselves as unique human beings, with very unique needs. More importantly, they might feel and accept that they deserve to fulfil those needs, that they simply are deserving. They might also start prioritizing (and vocalizing) their needs, while feeling that it makes complete sense to do so. Over time, they start to feel that, in fact, they do matter. They might develop a much healthier relationship with themselves as well as others (i.e. partners, friends, family, colleagues etc). People around them might notice the change, too! Clients might say things like “it feels like I am alive again" or "I am not numb anymore, I can feel again!”. I firmly believe that all this wonderful potential is within each single one of us already. My goal and honour as a therapist would simply be to guide you, my client, in this amazingly powerful healing journey.
What are some the unique issues faced by clients in your particular field of specialization, in terms of mental health education, care, and/or treatment?
Have you experienced one (or more) highly stressful/traumatic event and therefore struggling with any of the following symptoms: anxiety, fear, panic attacks, sadness, not feeling safe, intrusive thoughts and memories of the stressful event, disturbing nightmares, shame or guilt? Was the traumatic event the product of being part of an unhealthy relationship with a family member, a romantic partner or group of peers (something called "relational trauma")? Are you an immigrant or a first/second generation Latinx? Do you identify as belonging to the LGBTQ+ community? Do you identify as a woman? If you answered yes to any of the above, I might be a good therapist for you!
Specialties
Relationship Issues
Refers relationship issues with a partner or spouse. Can include issues related to relationship distress, relationship satisfaction, communication, intimacy, etc.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by persistent instability in relationships, extreme emotional reactions, and chronic fear of abandonment. People with this may also tend to be moody, experiencing a lot of high highs and low lows.
Fees
$350
First Session
$250
Couples Therapy
$220
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Couples Session
Individual Session
Clientele
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Seniors (65+)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Attachment-Based Therapy
Emotionally Focused Therapy
Person-Centered Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy
Relational Therapy
Hypnotherapy
Training / Certifications
2015: Laughter Yoga leader certification
2017-2018: Graduate certificate in couples in therapy and clinical sexology, Centro de formacion en psicologia Codex
2017-2018: Graduate certificate in systemic family therapy, Centro de formacion en psicologia Codex
2018: Certified Hypnotherapist (Palo Alto School of Hypnotherapy, PASOH, California).
2018: Certified in Hypnosis for trauma and PTSD (American Hypnosis Association).
2018: Treating Trauma Master Series (NICAMB)
2019: Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Training (Pesi)
2019: Neuroscience and yoga in the treatment of trauma (Pesi)
2020: Emotionally Focused Therapy (Pesi)
Licensure
CA, Psychologist, 31868
Education
2014-2017: Ph.D. in clinical neuropsychology, University “G. d’Annunzio”, UCSF Memory and Aging Center
2016-2017: Master degree in psychological counselling, University Niccolo’ Cusano
2011-2013: MSc in Clinical Psychology, University of Trento
2009-2011: BSc in Cognitive and Biological Psychology, University of Padova
Work History
For the past 10 years I have been working in both research and mental health settings. In particular, I worked at the UCSF Memory and Aging Center during my pre-doctoral training, where I have been trained on performing neuropsychological evaluations (assessment, scoring and presentation of tests results during the family conferences) of patients struggling with Alzheimer’s Disease. During my PhD and after I have been working in several community agencies/mental health settings. Lastly, for the past two years, I have been the lead clinician of a housing program that supports women recovering from trauma and PTSD related symptoms.
Location
NA, Sunnyvale, 94086, CA