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.

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.

My previous experiences include: providing psychotherapy and psychological testing to adolescents, adults, couples, and families. I also have experience leading Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) groups and young adult groups. Other experiences include: working at community mental health agencies, schools, and group homes, and working as an in home behavior instructor.

Certifications:

I received training by EMDR Consulting in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an integrative psychotherapy approach for the treatment of trauma. I am a Certified EMDR Therapist by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA).

I am certified in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) by Postpartum Support International (PSI).

I utilize my training and experience to assist my work with individuals who have experienced trauma, individuals with depression, anxiety, & life transitions, pregnant and postpartum women, and adolescents.