From an early age, I knew that I had a passion for helping others. Along my journey in life, my passion only grew stronger. At 19, I had one of my first experiences working in the field; I volunteered to be a rape crisis counselor on a hotline. There, I learned that truly listening is one of the most important gifts someone can give to another.
My mission as a Clinical Psychologist is to first and foremost create a space of nonjudgmental acceptance that fosters insight building within clients. Research tells us that the single most important factor in therapy is the therapeutic relationship itself. As humans, we are hardwired for connection and I believe that creating stable attachments with my clients is key to their growth process. With recent developments in neuroplasticity, we now know that our brains are not constant, but rather malleable and adaptive. Through work in psychotherapy, we can actually change our neural wiring! This is great news for us because what this means is that our circumstances, our genetics, our childhoods, our adverse experiences in life do not have to define who we are and how we interact with the world. Through psychotherapy, we are able to process our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in order to transform the way we that we view ourselves, others, and the world.
My Background
I am licensed as a Clinical Psychologist in the state of California (PSY 30516). I received my Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree from The California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, Los Angeles in Clinical Psychology. Prior to my doctoral education, I received my Master of Arts in Counseling from Chapman University. I completed my post-doctoral work at Albert Knapp and Associates, where I engaged in psychological assessments and therapy. I completed my pre-doctoral internship at the Faulk Center for Counseling in Boca Raton, FL. In my work, I provided psychotherapy and psychological testing to adolescents, adults, couples, and families. I also led Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) groups for those who had challenges with emotionally regulating, tolerating distress, and being effective in their relationships. In addition, I led Young Adult groups for those who were having challenges with anxiety, depression, and launching into adulthood. I received training by EMDR Consulting in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an integrative psychotherapy approach for the treatment of trauma. I have been designated as a Certified EMDR Therapist by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA). Previously, I have worked at community mental health agencies, schools, and group homes, providing psychotherapy to adults, children, and families. In addition, I worked in home as a behavior instructor for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. My diverse experiences have led me to specialize in working with populations who have complex trauma, anxiety, and depressive disorders.