Who am I?

I have been providing therapy in my home town of the South Bay for over 25 years.  In my private practice, I focus on connection, communication, understanding and self-awareness.  This results in less conflicted and more meaningful relationships at work, home and in friendships. One aspect of my practice I greatly enjoy, is facilitating group therapy. By focusing on communication, connection and the process of relating to others my clients have more meaningful relationships. 

Throughout my life it has been apparent that I had an inherent gift of intuition, communication and understanding people in a deeper, and more direct way.  I spent the first half of my life in a severe depression with overwhelming anxiety. As I came to understand through therapy, this was the result serious trauma. This difficult life situation resulted in an amazing growth experience, as I went to therapy and began extensive work on myself.  I know what it feels like to be in an unhappy relationship, and/or experience depression and anxiety. I have sat in a therapist’s office and can appreciate the difficulty in seeking counseling as well as the growth process itself. The world can be overwhelming, confusing and dark at times and it can also be beautiful, connecting and fulfilling. I know both. I can honestly say I am at peace and experience a wonderful level of contentment in my relationships and personally.  Don’t get me wrong I still have hard times. I am a living example of how effective therapy can be and that people can change. I walk the walk and talk the talk.  This I credit to the therapeutic process, my therapist, and the faculty at Pacific Gestalt Institute.  I have spent my life exploring and studying communication, relationships, personally, spiritually and professionally.  This is my passion and my gift.  If I won the lottery tomorrow, I would still practice therapy.

What is my background and experience?

I obtained a BA in Accounting and began working in the field. I quickly realized I longed for a more relational career. While continuing my full-time career I graduated with a MA in Marriage and Family Therapy and am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. My experience providing therapy for low-income and foster families at Starview Community Services has also proved a strong foundation in working with conflicted relationships and thus promoting healing and understanding under difficult circumstances and severe trauma. As an intern, I gained valuable experience providing individual and couple’s counseling.  My participation on the Board of Directors at The Gestalt Institute of Los Angeles allowed me to use my accounting skills and work as a team as I held the position of secretary and treasurer for 10 years. It was my honor to have had a re-occurring guest-teaching role in the school counseling program at LMU. Currently I am Adjunct faculty at the Pacific Gestalt Institute where I enjoy co-facilitating weekend trainings.

I am also a certified Yoga Teacher and a Certified Gestalt Therapist.  This process included 6 years of Gestalt training at the Pacific Gestalt Institute. My past studies include individual and group counseling where I healed from trauma, depression and anxiety.  I am proud of my own therapy and thus self-awareness. Knowing all aspects of myself has been invaluable working with clients. In 2023, I pursued my interest in psychedelic therapy and obtained a 240-hour certificate in Psychedelic Assisted Therapy, I have a great passion in assisting with integration of psychedelic experiences as well as Ketamine assisted therapy. I have a passion for Buddhist meditation and mindfulness which is infused throughout my work and life.

Besides spending time with my family, cats, dog and friends, I consistently practice meditation and yoga and enjoy time in nature through surfing, horseback riding and simply walking my dog.

What is my approach?

If I were in a crisis or conflicted relationship, I would not want to hear about theories, approaches and "psychobabble".  However, If I were to use "psychobabble" to describe what I do, I am a Gestalt therapist that uses a combination of Communications (Virginia Satir), mindfulness and Family systems theory.  I personally practice meditation and use it along with other modalities such as Somatic experiencing and Polyvagal breath work to treat anxiety and depression. At times I will bring in cognitive behavioral therapy tools as well. My love of Buddhism and certification as a Gestalt Therapist has reinforced my passion for “here and now” work with clients.  With this being said, what is really important is that I am direct, authentic and not afraid to be transparent about my experience or what I observe between people.  While at the same time, I am compassionate and understanding about the discomfort and difficulty in attending therapy in its own right and being called out on defenses.  I am skilled at challenging people to look at themselves while holding them in a compassionate and understanding way.  I spend time teaching communication skills and explaining the reasons for the change.  Most of us just want to be heard, understood, and feel cared about.  Ultimately, we want the struggling and suffering of depression and anxiety to lift so we can embrace life and thrive. In relationships we long for the painful round and round fighting to stop so we can get back to enjoying each other again. That is my purpose to help my clients and humans in general thrive. 

License # MFC 39858