Welcome all! This page is a forum for me to share my professional opinions and pieces of advice and to post messages that range from therapeutic advice to simple thoughts about mindfulness, clarity, health, and balance. My clinical practice is based on a foundation of doctoral-level education and classical training in various types of scientifically recognized theory. I build on my patient's motiv
ation to change their perspective to create the lives they want to live. I am respectful of ALL creeds, cultures, disabilities, and orientations. I welcome your thoughts and messages that are in line with general well-being, inspiration, and healing. If you have any urgent questions about psychotherapy, please DO NOT use this as a point of contact. Please call me at (310) 728-0928. If you are having a psychiatric emergency, CALL 9-1-1 or go to your nearest Urgent Care. For more information about my practice and education & clinical background, please go to my website: www.LA-Psychologist.com
Also, you can follow me on Twitter:
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LICENSE: California Board of Psychology - PSY 20704 -
EDUCATION:
Ph. Clinical Psychology-California School of Professional Psychology 2002
M. Clinical Psychology-California School of Professional Psychology 1998
B. Psychology -University of California, Los Angeles 1995
H. Diploma -Notre Dame High School (Sherman Oaks, CA) 1991
TRAINING:
Fellowship: Pediatric Psych. Children's Hospital Los Angeles 2002-2004
Internship: Pediatric Psych. Children’s Hospital Oakland 2000-2001
Practica: Child/Family Psych. S.F. Psychoanalytic Institute 1998-1999
Practica: Child/Family Psych. The Multicultural Psychotherapy 1997-1998
Training and Research Institute
PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS:
Clinical Faculty: University of California, Los Angeles 2006-2012
David Geffen School of Medicine
Dept. of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences
INDEPENDENT PRACTICE:
Psychotherapy: Children, Teens, Adults, Couples, and Families 2006-Present
Groups: Social Skills for Children and Support & Education for Parents
Lectures: Schools, Parent Associations, and Conferences
• Examples of school lectures: What is AD/HD? How to Detect Symptoms of Depression in Children. BULLYING- Peer Rejection & Neglect: How to Help Your Students (Child). LANGUAGES:
Fluent in both English and Spanish
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I love my city and embrace its richness of diversity in art, cultures, and activities. It is an honor to be of service to the people of Los Angeles, who have given so very much to me. In 2002 I received my Ph.D. from the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) at Alliant International University in San Francisco. Although my training in clinical psychotherapy was quite varied between families, couples, individual adults, children, and adolescents, my emphasis was family and child therapy. My interests also grew! From assessment and advocacy of learning differences to child abuse prevention to pediatric quality of life. I decided to specialize in Pediatric Psychology and in 2000 I accepted a position as an intern at the Department of Psychiatry at Children’s Hospital Oakland (CHO). After completing my dissertation and graduating from CSPP, I continued my training as a fellow at Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). As a Pediatric Psychologist, I provide psychotherapy to children whose difficulties are related to a medical diagnosis. For example, a teen with Diabetes is rebelling against her parents by not following her medical regimen. Or, a child newly diagnosed with Cancer may experience depression or anxiety about returning to school. A patient awaiting an organ transplant may also benefit from therapy to ease tensions and to prepare for a new lifestyle! Because a chronic illness is also experienced by the entire family, I also include parents, siblings and extended family members in the treatment process, if need be. I also co-created a multi-family obesity treatment program and designed a self-monitoring tool tailored for behavioral approaches to medical non-compliance. During my fellowship at CHLA, I also had the great opportunity to be part of the School Age Clinic – a multidisciplinary team (developmental pediatrician, psychologist, nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, and speech/language therapist) that evaluated and made recommendations for children with learning differences (LD), attention disorders (AD/HD), and conduct disorders. It was my role to provide treatment for these children (and their families). I grew up watching both my brothers struggle with school due to their learning differences (Dyslexia). However, I also saw how, with the help and guidance of compassionate and caring professionals, they were able to overcome
these challenges! It is my goal to continue to be a source of advocacy and guidance for children, teens, and young adults looking to overcome the frustrating challenges of LD and/or AD/HD. As an instructor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, I take my role as teacher very seriously. I believe that proper physicianship must incorporate ethical medical science but more importantly, it must include compassion and respect towards patients. My great interest in health psychology and quality of life issues led me back to my alma mater. I am honored to be part of the Doctoring/Clinical Skills 1 Program. As a Family/Child Psychologist, I provide psychotherapy to the entire family. Depending on the situation, family therapy may be broken down to separate sessions to include the primary caretakers with or without the child or children involved. Each family is unique are can best benefit from a tailored intervention plan! Providing psychotherapy to individuals (adults, adolescents, or children) is also a great interest of mine. Personal growth and clarification of anxieties, strengths, and goals is part of the incredible therapeutic process! My practice is based on respect of ALL creeds, cultures, disabilities, and orientations. Please contact me if can be of service to you or those you know.
