What would be important for someone to know about working with you?
I view engagement in psychotherapy as a courageous choice to learn how to live from a more mindful, less programmed place. Psychotherapy can be a healing and transformative process, which allows us to better understand the relationship between our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and how we can change unhelpful patterns that get in the way of our health and well-being. With an attitude of openness, non-judgment, and compassion, I utilize psychodynamic talk therapy and evidence-based practices to help clients access their inherent wisdom and capacity to heal from challenging life experiences. I do not believe in a one-size fits all approach. We are all individuals with distinct needs, cultures, beliefs, and experiences. We face our challenges in unique ways and have different strengths and coping abilities which I consider when tailoring treatment. Some of my therapeutic goals include helping clients manage their symptoms of anxiety, depression, grief and loss, improving relationships (with self and others), and exploring the ways in which current problems may be linked to unresolved issues from the past.
What is your style/approach to therapy?
My approach to therapy is collaborative, client-centered, and strengths-based. I view mental health from a holistic framework; taking into account the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit, in addition to the many environmental influences that have shaped our development. My ultimate goal is to facilitate positive changes within my clients so that they may feel their full potential in a direct experiential way. I understand that starting therapy can feel scary. It takes strength and courage to be vulnerable, confront the unknown, and explore our innermost thoughts and feelings, and we may feel sensitive about being judged. Creating a safe, empathic, and non-judgmental environment for clients to open up to the therapist and to introspection is the most important aspect of the therapeutic relationship. For this reason, I prioritize building trust and working at a pace that is comfortable for my clients.
What’s the most profound, insightful, or interesting thing you’ve learned as a mental health professional?
Therapists recognize psychological resilience as the human ability to “bounce back” after facing adversity or trauma. We are inspired by how people can survive, and often thrive, despite their negative experiences. The mental health field now understands resilience is an innate human capacity that can be learned and developed in anyone. But it’s more than a skill, it’s an adaptation! Psychotherapy can help us adapt to our life experiences, putting us on the path to resilience and healing.
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.
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.
Life transitions
Positive and negative change can be difficult, including things like moving, breaking up, adjusting to parenthood, or changing careers. It’s normal to feel stressed, however, life transitions can inhibit people from living healthy lifestyles.
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
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.
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.
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.
Fees
$150
First Session
$150
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Individual Session
Clientele
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Strength Based Therapy
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Psychodynamic Therapy
Training / Certifications
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
EMDR Levels I and II completed through EMDR International Association
Licensure
CA, LCSW, 73570
Education
MSW, Clinical Social Work, New York University (NYU)
Work History
I have been a social worker for 19 years with the last 10 years focused on the practice of psychotherapy in clinical settings. I work with people from all walks of life and specialize in trauma recovery, adjustment issues related to life transitions/illness, anxiety/depression, and grief and loss. Over the course of my lengthy career, I have had the privilege of working with individuals and groups of diverse backgrounds, as noted below. While I also have experience providing psychotherapy to children, families and groups, I currently offer individual therapy to adults only.Clinical Experience (2010-present):* Private Practice, Fremont CA 2019-present* San Francisco Department of Public Health, Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, Department of Psychiatry, Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment Services, San Francisco, CA 2015-2020* Native American Health Center, Integrated Behavioral Health Department, Oakland, CA 2012-2015* College of Mount Saint Vincent's Counseling and Psychological Services Center, Bronx, NY 2011-2012* Lawyers for Children, Inc., Manhattan Integrated Domestic Violence Court, New York, NY 2010-2011Social Work/Crisis Counseling Experience (2001-2010):* Family Violence Law Center, Family Violence Intervention Unit, Joint program with Oakland Police Department's Criminal Investigative Unit for Domestic Violence, Oakland CA 2008-2010* New Beginnings, Confidential Emergency Shelter for Domestic Violence Survivors, Seattle, WA 2006-2008* Safe Place, Confidential Emergency Shelter for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Survivors, Olympia, WA 2001-2005
Location
3100 Mowry Avenue Ste #402, Fremont, 94538, CA