Hi, I’m Kiri
I am an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC #15957) with a Master’s in Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling Psychology from Naropa University. I have a Bachelors in Sociology from UCLA. My collaborative and culturally sensitive style is informed by relational, somatic, attachment, mindfulness, existential, and trauma-informed approaches.
My life’s mission is to cultivate inner peace and happiness for myself and others. Healing can feel like a lonely and isolating experience sometimes, but it can be more joyful and rewarding when the healing happens in connection with others. I offer a safe, non-judgmental, and compassionate space for you to process whatever blocks you from living in accordance with your authentic self and your soul’s calling.
I bring my humanness, curiosity, and sense of humor to the therapeutic space. My authentic nature is very Kirious, silly, sweet, caring, reflective, earthy, firey, wild at times, but mostly chill and laid-back.
My Background
I grew up in the Bay Area, California and have lived all over the world. My first career was working as a shoe designer in the fashion industry in New York. After 7 years in the industry, I became disenchanted with the commercialism and superficialism of the fashion industry. So I quite my job, and bought a one-way ticket to Asia. In Asia, I discovered disaster relief volunteering. This experience profoundly changed me and was the launching pad for my devotion to serving others. I felt my heart expand as I discovered the joy, satisfaction, and purposefulness of helping people in need.
I volunteered and traveled in Asia for three years. During that time I became a Buddhist and yoga practitioner. I received a Tantric Hatha Yoga teacher training and lived in Guatemala teaching yoga for a brief time. I became a devote spiritual seeker and foraged through the spiritual “buffet,” seeking answers and healing remedies. I experimented with many spiritual techniques and practices including bioenergetics, breathwork, plant medicine, Osho active meditations, and Reiki.
But I felt like my life’s purpose wasn’t yet clear, so I continued searching for a new home and purpose for several years thereafter. In 2019, I started a two-year Timeless Wisdom Training with my spiritual teacher, Thomas Huebl. Through my time practicing Thomas’ teachings, it became clear to me that being a therapist was my soul’s next calling.
This life transition was confusing and challenging for me, but it provided many powerful insights about myself and the things that held me back from living my life fully.
I now live in Marin County, California, in a small forest town. Outside of therapy, I spend my time hiking, gardening, meditating, making ceramics, traveling, dancing, playing with my kitties, taking care of my family, and immersing myself in nature. These activities keep me grounded and balanced, enriching my therapeutic work.
your fellow passenger
Like you, I am an imperfect human being with mental and emotional struggles. I have been in and out of therapy my entire life to help me cope with trauma and mental health issues. I may not personally understand all of your unique life challenges, but I do know what it’s like to suffer, to feel hopeless, powerless, and in need of support.
This is why I consider myself a fellow passenger to my clients: I am on a healing journey just like you. There are times when life feels easy and I am using my tool kit of coping skills and resources, and there are times when life feels like a struggle, and those skills flutter away in the wind. I have learned to accept the ebs and flows of life and to embrace the present moment, because its really all we actually have.
Buddhism has been my pathway to healing, and is my bedrock in challenging times. I also believe in a higher power, and consider myself to be a mystical and spiritual person. We may hold different spiritual, religious, or belief systems, and that’s okay! In fact, I love to work with clients from different backgrounds and beliefs systems. It gives me an opportunity to learn new things and to expand my awareness beyond what I know or believe to be true.
