I am a Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in individual, couples and family therapy, and maintain a private practice in San Mateo, California.
With over ten years experience as a marriage and family therapist, and as a graduate of San Francisco State University specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, I am currently serving as a private practitioner working with a broad spectrum of clients. Among my areas of expertise are:
Adults, Couples, and Families
Couples Therapy
School Concerns
Learning Differences
Eating Disorders
Anxiety/Depression
Childhood Trauma
Post Traumatic Stress
Adult Children of Alcoholics
Anger Management
Conflict Resolution
Stress Management
Work Issues
Grief & Loss
I am a solution-focused therapist. My therapeutic approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. I integrates complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. With compassion and understanding, I work with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.
As a former elementary school teacher in San Francisco and New York's inner-city schools it became evident to me that there was a greater need beyond the classroom to help the student excel academically and in life. The recognition of that need lead me to my calling as a counselor, where I could combine my teaching skills and my love of psychology to help those who are struggling in various areas of their lives. Cognitive Behavioral therapy treatment allows me to utilize my skills by teaching others better coping mechanisms to deal with life's challenges and setbacks.
During my years as a counselor intern in my graduate studies, I worked for Crisis/Suicide Prevention and various mental health agencies with adults, couples, children, and families. My focus is primarily on issues of couples counseling (Level 1 Gottman Couples Therapist and Advanced Level Emotional Focused Therapist) , childhood trauma, depression, anxiety, eating disorders and substance abuse concerns. I have extensive experience working with adolescents and their families to help them achieve better results in all areas of their lives such as in school, and parental and peer relationships, by helping them make better choices, and through effective communication and life skill training. Some of the difficulties faced by teens I work with are: school stress, depression, anxiety, childhood trauma, self-mutilation, divorced/blended families, as well as issues of social and cultural assimilation. Along with the proven success of the Cognitive-Behavior modality of treatment, I am also a strong believer that relationship building goes hand in hand with successful treatment. It is for this reason that I strongly encourage seeking out a therapist that you can connect with and with whom you feel very comfortable.
~ For more information on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy see my Common Questions page.
Education : Master of Science in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling - San Francisco State University
Certification : Level 1 Gottman Couples Therapist
Advanced Level - Emotional Focused Couples Therapist
EMDR & Emotional Freedom Technique (Energy Psychology) Trained
License : MFT #40341
Professional Affiliations and Memeberships :
American Psychological Association
American Psychotherapy Association Certified Counselor
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
Psychology Today
Bay Area Therapists Specializing in Adolescents
Association of Family Therapist of Northern California
ICCEFT
