About

Therapy is about personal growth.

In therapy, virtually or in person, our goal in working together is for you to feel like you can express yourself without overthinking or hesitation. Judgment does NOT live here – Ever!

I find laughter bonding and sometimes use humor to break the ice or drive home a point. Feel free to bring your best ‘dad joke’ to the session! I love hearing new ones. You will unload what you’ve been carrying around all this time and feel lighter when you leave the session.

Growth often results from focused work.

Of course, there are times when therapy will get challenging, and I will push you and your abilities. I didn’t say therapy would be easy. I do this with ‘tough love’ and purpose. I want you to exercise those strengths we’ve identified and practice using them in the session so that they will become second nature outside of the session.

I will ask questions and be curious about you and what you are going through to understand better where you’ve been and how things you’ve tried have not worked for you. These questions may include asking about your upbringing, cultural impacts, and values.

My goal is to get you to a place where you don’t feel you “need” me anymore. I want to provide you with enough support and promote growth so that you are more capable of handling life. Minor setbacks happen, and my door will always be open for future therapy sessions as things develop and you feel the need to hit the reset button.

About Me

Here’s a little about me.

I am a Bay Area Native, born and raised in the competitive area we now call Silicon Valley. My family was in military-law enforcement, and I had personal challenges, from being a teen mom to domestic violence.

My educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from San Jose State University and a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Notre Dame de Namur.

While in school, I worked with a private practice doing therapy sessions with Law Enforcement Officers and their families. Out of school, I trained with individuals struggling with eating disorders at a residential level and worked in Community Mental Health to support the chronically homeless population.

In the jail system, I worked on an acute psychiatric unit providing services to individuals in crisis. I am a Suicide Prevention Trainer for the County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health System. I currently work as a Clinical Supervisor in a residential setting providing support to Clinicians in addiction services.

Outside of work…

I am a mother to two boys, one currently serving in the United States Army, and my little guy is just starting school.

Oh, did I mention I have a wiener dog named Winnie? I adopted her as a senior from a local rescue; she loves snacks and naps.

For fun, I enjoy cruising my Indian motorcycle through the beautiful Bay Area, lifting heavy weights, and competing in local CrossFit competitions.