My Journey
When I was 20 years old, my mother died from cancer—a loss that profoundly changed the course of my life. Through my own experience with grief therapy, I discovered the healing power of genuine human connection and unconditional positive regard. That experience inspired a lifelong commitment to understanding emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing and ultimately led me to become a therapist. After beginning my career in marketing ethical brands, I made the conscious decision to pursue work that allowed me to support people directly through life's challenges and transitions.
Experience
For over 15 years, I've worked with children, teens, and adults in a variety of therapeutic, educational, and mentoring roles. Before becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I worked as a behavior specialist supporting children and adolescents with developmental differences in home and school settings. That experience taught me to look beyond behaviors and understand the deeper developmental, emotional, and relational needs underneath them.
My work has also included facilitating grief support groups for children through Experience Camps, mentoring youth, teaching yoga and meditation in correctional settings through Prison Yoga & Meditation, and volunteering with organizations that support vulnerable populations. These experiences have continually reinforced my belief in the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of meeting people with compassion and curiosity.
My travels and experiences living in both London and Melbourne also broadened my perspective and deepened my appreciation for different cultures and ways of relating to the world. Today, those experiences help me connect with clients from a wide range of backgrounds with greater curiosity, openness, and cultural sensitivity.
Today, I work with children, teens, and adults, helping them cultivate greater self-awareness, emotional resilience, and healthier relationships with themselves and others. It is a privilege to walk alongside my clients as they discover new ways of understanding themselves and creating meaningful change.
Outside of my practice, I enjoy yoga, art, traveling, cooking, spending time with my husband and children, and cuddling my Yorkies, Zoey and Harley.
Education
Antioch University
M.A., Clinical Psychology
University of Southern California
B.A., Communication
Minor in Marketing
Cum Laude
Specialized Training
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Psychodynamic Training (Dr. Dorie Weiss)
Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), (Pain Psychology Center/Alan Gordon)
Advanced Perinatal Mental Health Psychotherapy (Postpartum Support International)
Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care (Postpartum Support International)
Trauma Resiliency Model (Southern California Counseling Center)
Community Resiliency Model (Southern California Counseling Center)
Psychodynamic Therapy (Southern California Counseling Center)
Play Therapy (Greenspan Floortime®)
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Levels 1 & 2
Behavior Specialist Training (by Board Certified Behavior Analyst BCBA)
200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training (YogaWorks)