Services
- Individual
- Couples
- Family
- Adolescent/Teen
About My Clients
As a child, did you ever feel you were not supported the way you needed to be? Did you ever have to ignore your own feelings or needs just to maintain a relationship with your parent(s)? Our childhood experiences can have a lasting impact on how well we function as adults both independently and within relationships. By attending therapy, do you hope to get unstuck? Establish boundaries? Tolerate uncomfortable emotions? Improve relationship dynamics? Process trauma? Develop a sense of self?
My Background and Approach
I am here to provide hope, insight, education and unconditional acceptance of who you are and where you are on your journey. I take a holistic approach by honoring the interwoven relationships between your brain, mind, body, emotions and spirit so you can develop into a more unified and resilient individual. We will work in the present to heal your past and move towards your ideal future. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from California State University, Northridge with my Bachelors in Psychology. I then completed my Masters in Psychology at Phillips Graduate University, where I still work part-time. My professional research project at Phillips was titled "Ghosts of Childhood Past: Narcissism as a Defense Mechanism and its Impact on Future Generations." I dedicated my research to providing a better understanding of the the development of narcissism and the grief for children young and old raised by narcissistic or emotionally immature parents.
My Personal Beliefs and Interests
I believe that the right relationship can be incredibly healing, and that is what I am here for. I consider mental "disorders" as the body's, mind's and spirit's attempts to adapt to difficult life situations that are out of our control. When we work together, your "disorder" or "label" will not define who you are to me; it is just one color of your vibrant rainbow & just one part of your life story. I respect each client's self-determination and resiliency and encourage clients to participate in "self-therapy" outside of our sessions to gain mastery over their lives. I define "self-therapy" as taking what we do in session and continuing the work in your personal life. Platforms: Disordered eating patterns & negative body image are common shame-based responses to childhood trauma. I am an active supporter of the HAES & intuitive eating movements and incorporate this knowledge into our work together.