Therapy Specializations
ADDICTION
TRAUMA
LGBTQA+/BIPOC FOLKS
EXISTENTIAL & SPIRITUAL THERAPY
DEPRESSION & ANXIETY
GRIEF/LOSS
empowerment/self-esteem
INNER CHILD healing
KETAMINE-ASSISTED THERAPY
suicide prevention
DEPRESSION & ANXIETY
As someone who has struggled with depression and anxiety throughout my life, I understand the challenges of living with what can feel like an immense and heavy burden. I use a variety of modalities to help clients with depression and anxiety including mindfulness, ACT, compassion therapy, CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, Somatic Experiencing, Hakomi, and IFS. Part of the work of healing depression and anxiety is developing a greater capacity to be with and accept the anxiety and depression. The other part of the work is to develop healthy coping skills and resources for you to use when depression and anxiety feels unmanageable.
GRIEF/LOSS
I offer clients experiencing grief or loss a supportive and compassionate space to express their emotions and thoughts without feeling judged or rushed. Everyone grieves differently and has their own unique way of coping with loss. I encourage clients to be patient and gentle with themselves as they navigate their unique journey. I help clients understand the different stages of grief, such as denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. It is important to know that these stages are not necessarily linear and can be experienced in any order or combination. Grief can be physically and emotionally exhausting. I encourage clients to prioritize self-care activities that promote their well-being, such as getting enough rest, eating nutritious meals, engaging in gentle exercise, and seeking support from loved ones.
ADDICTION
I use a client-centered, collaborative, and harm-reduction approach to addiction recovery therapy. I use a variety of therapy modalities to help clients struggling with substance abuse including IFS, Solution-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, and other trauma-informed modalities. I collaborate with clients on a treatment plan whether it be an abstinence or harm-reduction model.
Harm reduction is a model for substance abuse that focuses on minimizing the negative consequences associated with substance abuse. As a harm reduction therapist, I provide individuals with practical strategies and resources to reduce the risks and harms associated with substance abuse. This might look like a consumption plan that strategically reduces a client’s consumption over a set period of time or creating a safe usage plan.
I acknowledge that for many clients addiction is a symptom of trauma. There is a high correlation between clients that have PTSD and other trauma disorders and substance abuse disorders. Much of the work of healing and recovering from addiction is trauma therapy. For clients that have addiction and trauma disorders, I use somatic mindfulness modalities such as Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, IFS, Brainspotting, and Somatic Experiencing to help them heal their trauma. To learn more about trauma therapy, click the link below.
INNER CHILD WORK
Many of our core false beliefs and wounds come from childhood. Even if you had a good upbringing, most likely you experienced some adverse experiences whether it be in your family of origin, or at school. I use Internal Family Systems to help people access their inner child and heal the beliefs that continue to pummel them as adults. Core false beliefs are subconscious beliefs that drive us without our awareness. Examples of core false beliefs are “Im bad,” “I’m not lovable,” or “I’m not good enough.” When we do inner child work, we access the inner child that believes falsely about themselves, and we give them the love, attention, kind regard, and protection that they didn’t get as a child. Our inner child pops up in many of our adult relationships unconsciously.. When we become aware of our inner child in our adult lives, we can “reparent” them with our highest consciousness self. We can hold our inner child with love and protection and so that they don’t feel the need to hijack our adult interactions.
Suicide prevention
Our culture doesn’t teach us how to cope or talk about suicide ideation and prevention. I have extensive experience working as a suicide prevention counselor at Crisis Support Services of Alameda County. Suicide ideation is more common than people think, and it’s important that people have a safe and non-judgmental space for them to openly share about their suicide ideation. I can help people learn and practice coping skills to manage their suicide ideation. We can also look at what triggers the ideation, and what internal and external changes can be made to prevent suicide ideation.
Note: If you are in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Hotline, available in any county 24/7. I am not able to provide immediate crisis support.
existential & spiritual therapy
Transpersonal therapy is a holistic approach to therapy that integrates psychological, spiritual, and existential dimensions of human experience. It recognizes that individuals have a spiritual or transcendent aspect to their being and seeks to explore and understand this aspect in the therapeutic process. Transpersonal therapy acknowledges that individuals may experience spiritual or existential crises, such as a loss of meaning, a search for purpose, or a desire for connection with something greater than themselves. I help individuals navigate these issues and find a sense of wholeness and integration.
I provide a safe and supportive space for individuals to explore their spiritual beliefs, experiences, and questions. I encourage individuals to connect with their inner wisdom and intuition, and to explore their relationship with the divine or higher power. I support individuals in making meaning of these experiences and finding ways to incorporate them into their sense of self and identity.
Transpersonal therapy recognizes that spiritual growth and transformation can be a powerful catalyst for personal development. I support individuals in their journey of self-discovery, self-actualization, and personal growth, helping them align with their authentic selves and live more fulfilling lives.
It is important to note that transpersonal therapy is not limited to individuals who identify as religious or spiritual. It can be beneficial for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world, regardless of their specific beliefs or background.
BIPOC, LGBTQ+, AND INTERSECTING IDENTITIES
I am a biracial and bisexual woman from a family of divorce. I have a blended family of my own. My intersecting identities are nuanced, layered, and multifaceted. Sometimes they are visible, and sometimes they are hidden.
I love to work with BIPOC clients, LGBTQ+ clients, folks who have intersecting identities, live alternative lifestyles, have unique perspectives, and/or face marginalization. I am fascinated by how nature and nurture weaves its magic little web to create all of us unique human creatures. It is my fascination, curiosity, and lived experience that enables me to embrace and except all walks of life, regardless of one’s gender, race, belief system, culture, economic station, body, profession, or country of origin. All folks are welcome, and I truly look forward to meeting your authentic self!
empowerment and self-esteem
Systemic oppression can impact one’s confidence and belief in oneself, which can result in feelings of disempowerment, inadequacy, self-hatred, and self-doubt. I help clients develop a sense of self-empowerment in their personal and professional lives. It is my great joy to assist people in learning to love themselves and to believe that they can accomplish their dreams and live in accordance with their soul’s purpose.
I want to normalize that fear is a natural response to becoming empowered and reclaiming your authentic voice and identity in the beginning. Empowerment feels a bit strange at first, like an unfamiliar coat you’ve never worn. But eventually, you get used to living in your authentic self, and after a while, you can’t imagine having lived any other way.
Certifications & Trainings
• Brainspotting Trauma Training, Pacific Counseling Trauma Center, 2024
Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Training, Alchemy Therapy Community Center, 2023
• Suicide Crisis & Prevention Training, Crisis Support Services of Alameda County, 2022
•Internal Family Systems Therapy Level 1 & 2, 2020
• Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Level 1, 2020
• Clinical Applications of Polyvagal Theory, 2020
• Relational Life Therapy, Terry Real, 2020
• Hakomi Method Training, 2020
• 250-Hour Tantric Hatha Yoga Teacher Training, 2016
DEGREES
• MA in Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling, Naropa University, 2023
• AA in Design, FIT, 2006
• BA in Sociology and French, UCLA, 2004
• AA in Design, FIT, 2006
• BA in Sociology and French, UCLA, 2004
