Helping others has been a lifelong goal for me that started right out of high school. While attending Sonoma State to earn my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, I worked in mentoring and assisting families who were transitioning out of homelessness. There I gained firsthand experience of working with families with challenging dynamics and issues in mental illness, domestic violence, parenting and step-parenting, poverty, addiction, homelessness, and recovery. I graduated in 2007 and felt a calling to work with children, adolescents, and teens who have developmental delays, a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, and individuals with adaptive functioning needs and behavioral challenges.
In 2008, I began primarily working with only adolescents and teenagers who were diagnosed with Autism through STAR of CA. This provided an opportunity to experience working not only with an individual, but the family dynamic as I went into their homes to provide behavioral therapy. I used a behavioral approach to teach coping skills and provided support to utilize those skills. During that time, I realized that the family dynamic played a large part in the success or failure of that adolescent.
To make a bigger impact, I earned my Master of Science with an emphasis in Counseling Psychology from California Lutheran University in 2011. After graduation, I continued to help children, adolescents, and teenagers in the Conejo Valley Unified School District as a mental health clinician. Attending IEPs and working with parents, teachers, and case managers added another layer to my knowledge.
After multiple years in the school district, I have decided to join private practice. This has been my dream once I completed my 3,000 hours towards licensure. I approach therapy in a couple ways, mainly using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness. At the end of the day, I am doing what I always dreamed of and I hope that comes through in my work.
My Approach
As a Marriage and Family Therapist, my approach is to provide a safe, non-judgmental, and comfortable environment for individuals, couples, and families to discuss their current challenges and focus on their goals. I believe in a collaborative therapeutic relationship, where we work together to identify patterns, gain insight, and develop effective coping skills. Each person's unique perspective and experience is valued and respected, and we will work together to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs. My goal is to empower you to make positive changes in your life and relationships. If you are ready to take the first small step forward towards healing and growth, please contact me to schedule an appointment.