About
Background
Before beginning my own therapeutic journey, I lived on autopilot. Sure, I made choices for myself. Some were even brazen! But mostly, they were strategic, proving to myself and the world I was in control, self-reliant.
Safe.
A trauma response moving me at breakneck speed, making decisions that weren’t always in my best interest. One day, I stared myself down in the mirror: "What exactly is in my control here and what isn't?" "What do I really want?"
"What am I willing to be honest about to get there?"
My dad used to say, in any good plot there's a character who has to overcome their greatest fear to get what they want. Question is, for most complex characters, what they say they want and what they really deeply actually truly want, may be somewhat different. So to write a good character, figure out what they want then what they need to do to get it.
After a long hard look in the mirror, I finally heard what I (didn't want/wanted/was afraid of wanting/was pretending I didn't feel) and as it turned out, I too had the right to discernment.
Once far enough along on my path I found my way back to my goal: to help others find trust in themselves again. To help people - individuals or couples - find their way out of the repetitive cycles working against them.
Training
I grew up in LA. That is a training in and of itself. I also grew up among the industry in Hollywood where later I worked in and around production and post production. I bring my understanding of the industry, how artists and those working on their own artistic endeavors, are taught tough lessons along their way.
I also bring my own backstory and strategies for survival I overcame in order to hear myself, to my work in terms of empathy and compassion. And a non-rushed-attitude.
I apply the clinical knowledge learned in psychotherapy to support individuals and couples who find themselves stuck somewhere on the middle of their path.
I have my B.A. from UC Berkeley and M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University LA. I've trained at Southern California Counseling Center, trained with Pacific Gestalt Institute, have extensive training in EFT as well as a focus in grief, applicable in many ways. I've counseled elementary children in Burbank, CA, am a certified Yoga Instructor, trained in TRI (trauma resilience model) and a member of ICEEFT, EFT Center of LA, MontanaEFT, PGI, CAMFT & APA.
Approach
We work together to understand the cycles or patterns, that keep showing up.
I help by listening to where you are, and offering an integrative approach, including a beautiful model called Emotionally Focused therapy which helps couples and individuals make sense of why it's become hard to hear ourselves.
I maintain a sex-positive and all inclusive stance toward orientation including issues related to sexuality, heteronormativity, oppression, and gender performance. I am an unflinching ally of the LGBTQI community, believing we can fight back against the norms that aim to tell individuals and couples how to live their lives.