​

My style is engaged, curious and compassionate. I want to know what you are seeking in this life.  I want to know what helps and what doesn't help. I strive to create a sense of safety so that you can open to share and explore yourself freely.  I do my best to understand your unique experience so that I can help you. My goal is to be present so that you can feel my care, support and integrity.

 

When appropriate, I find it helpful to talk about our relationship. For many people I work with, processing our relationship brings up new healing experiences.  These experiences of sharing the complexity of what it's like to be in relationship with another person, all the while being understood on a deep level can be very fulfilling. When sharing feelings in this way, emotional needs that have gone unmet have the chance to finally be seen, understood, validated and nourished.  

​

My education includes a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Clinical Psychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara. I also hold a Master’s degree in Integral Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies. 

​

Over the course of my experience as a psychotherapist, a range of psychological theory and teachings have influenced my thinking and the way I work clinically. I draw mostly from a relational perspective that emphasizes the therapeutic relationship as the most important supportive factor in healing.  I bring social justice, attachment, neuropsychology, integral, psychoanalytic and humanistic psychotherapy theories into my work as well. In addition, many years of studying Vipassana meditation and Buddhist teachings has assisted my personal exploration of emotional bodily experiences, self reflection and insight. This personal practice of meditation helps to bring a tool of mindfulness to the psychotherapy I offer.

​

Additionally, I am always taking new trainings and courses.  During my training and licensed experience, I have attended many clinical workshops and courses including and not limited to:

 

 

I have a certificate of completion from the yearlong couples therapy training with the Couples Institute in Palo Alto, CA. This has given me extensive specialized training and competence in developmental, attachment and neuroscience clinical approaches for couples therapy.

​

I have also completed the 4 day Emotionally Focused Therapy couples externship.

This has given me specialized training and competence in attachment based clinical approach to couples therapy.

​

I have also received extensive training & supervision in relational psychotherapy with individuals and couples. This has given me specialized training and competence to work with relationships of all kinds, including incorporating healing within the therapeutic relationship.

​

Additionally I've received extensive training and supervision in Filial Family Therapy, Theraplay and Child-Centered Play Therapy, particularly with preschool aged children and their families. This has given me specialized training and competence in working with family systems, young children and guiding repair in the parent child relationship.

​

I also offer supervision to psychotherapists in training, and consultation to colleagues particularly within my specializations.