How has your particular field of specialization evolved in recent years and how has that impacted your work?
My specialism is mood disorders (depression & anxiety) and over the years mindfulness and meditation has had a positive impact on my work. As a Vipassana meditator, I am able to integrate evidenced-based Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) into my work with positive results. MBCT seeks to teach people to disengage from the deeply ingrained dysfunctional thoughts that are common with depression. When the mind wanders, the meditator ideally takes note of where it goes, and calmly returns to the moment at hand, perhaps focusing on their breath or bodily sensations. One characteristic of depression is a habit of thinking negatively about experiences, one's self or the future. Mindfulness trains people to be more aware of these thoughts and to stand back and simply observe their thoughts passing through their minds instead of blaming themselves for having the thought or emotion.
In what ways does your personality influence your approach to therapy?
I am a seeker, and my intention is to support clients in identifying and honoring the answers and truths that they discover within themselves. I am a conscientious, reflective, and thoughtful practitioner whose training, education and experiences are grounded in the intuitive knowing that we all possess. As a clinician, I honor and respect my client’s ability to know the truth; it is often a fearful and fiery process, but I believe that through the power of our feelings we can tap into an infinite eternal awareness through self-love and self-acceptance. I want to help Black people, children and families rediscover their relationship with their mind, body, and spirit.
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 wish that people knew that therapy is a routine and preventative form of healthcare. Therapy helps to train your mind and supports the building of healthy relationships. Hesitancy is a normal reaction from someone who has never experienced a therapeutic relationship. You do not have to be in crisis to go to therapy. Therapy is for anyone wanting to learn more about themselves; suffering from symptoms of mental health; wanting help to achieve their goals; wanting more meaningful relationships; needs someone to listen; and to process major life events.
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.
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.
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
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.
Mood disorders
Mood disorder is a broad term used to include the different types of depressive and bipolar disorders, all of which affect mood. With a mood disorder, your moods may range from extremely low to extremely high or irritable.
Fees
$225
First Session
$225
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Individual Session
Clientele
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Mindfulness Practices
Strength Based Therapy
Coaching
Integrative Therapy
Narrative Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Training / Certifications
Health Coaching Certificate, Institute for Integrative Nutrition
SIFI Certification, New York University
Spiritual Life Coaching Certificate, Inner Visions Institute for Spiritual Development
Licensed Clinical Social Worker -- New York & California
Licensure
CA, LCSW, 79605
NY, LCSW, 071491
Education
MSW, Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Work History
My early childhood shaped my desire to understand the family systems that raised us and the influence that this has on our development through life's stages. I was a teenager with a lot of emotional angst that was expressed through music and the creative arts. My interest in the fields of social work, mental health, and psychology stem from a need to understand not only myself but the trauma I experienced. I am a Clinical Social Worker licensed in California and New York with 25 years of experience working with children, families, and adults in the areas of child welfare, psychosocial assessments, behavioral health, forensic & medical social work, and management. I also specialized in international social work in London, UK as the sole member of an LLC, Specialist Assessment Services consulting for and managing non-profit teams and private organizations for six (6) of my fifteen (14) years residing abroad. I have over 10 years of licensed psychotherapy experience specializing in working with children, adolescents, and high-functioning adults in the areas of trauma, grief, anxiety, and depression.
Location
Remote Therapy - serving the greater California area, CA