Education and Experience
I have been working in the mental health field for over 20 years. After receiving my Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from Point Loma Nazarene University, I spent the next decade working with those experiencing homelessness, addiction and severe mental illness.
During that time, I noticed that change seemed to take place for those who went to therapy. Change happened when the individuals I worked with started doing the work of looking at their pasts, their fears and their traumas. This realization led me to get my Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of San Diego.
I have continued to work with a wide variety of people and truly enjoy getting to walk beside others during some of the hardest times of their lives. I create a safe and non-judgmental space to help you work through unresolved shame, grief and loss. I also have had the opportunity of working at an inpatient psychiatric hospital for children and adolescents and providing crisis intervention to those experiencing a mental health crisis.
I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Level 2 Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Level 1 trained in the Gottman Method Couples Therapy.
As mentioned, I am licensed in CA, however I also provide “life coaching” for other clients not residing in CA. All sessions are 100% virtual/online. Reach out and let’s see if we’re a good fit!
About Me
INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS (IFS)
One of my therapy models that I specialize in is Internal Family Systems (IFS). It was developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz. We sometimes experience distressing or traumatic experiences either in our homes or within our various environments. We may carry the burdens of unresolved past experiences in the present. These burdens may show up as depression, anxiety, shame, internal criticism, etc. In IFS therapy, we explore various “parts” of ourselves that hold positive intentions and are (or were at one point) helpful in making life manageable. However, instead of fighting against these “parts” to change them, IFS shows us how to get to know them in their positive intention, which can actually help them relax and take on a more holistic internal role. In turn, the internal system is left feeling less ashamed about such behaviors and more free to make new creative choices. For more info about IFS, check out the link/video below: