About me…
Who I work with and my areas of expertise:
I work with teens and adults struggling with a range of issues including anxiety, depression, identity formation, relationship challenges, life transitions, perfectionism, and plain old everyday stress. I also provide parenting support to help caregivers navigate the challenges of parenting and create a positive connection with their children.
My treatment approach:
I approach therapy from an attachment theory lens, which means I believe our early life relationships and experiences impact the way we think and behave, how we feel about ourselves, and the way we engage in our relationships. By examining them in the therapeutic space you will better understand yourself, and we can work together to let go of what no longer serves you and create more of whatever you want and need in your life - more calm, more confidence, more strength, more satisfying relationships, more joy.
Within an attachment framework, I also utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT, which is a highly effective evidence-based intervention for anxiety, depression, OCD, and other disorders. CBT provides strategies and techniques to create change in the relationship between our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Mindfulness practices, which are particularly helpful for returning us to our bodies and minds in the the present moment instead of worrying about the future and getting stuck in the past, are also implemented when appropriate.
Treatment is always personalized and curated to your unique needs and reasons for engaging in therapy. I often find that the most therapeutic intervention of all is simply having the space and time to share, process, and reflect on your life without any judgement and in a meaningful way. My hope is that together we will create the space for you to cultivate your best self.
My background:
In addition to my private therapy practice, I serve on the Families Connected parent advisory which works in partnership with allcove - two fantastic organizations for individuals and families, which you can learn more about on my Resources page. I have also provided counseling support on site for staff in the Hermosa Beach school district, and I am a member of the National Association of Social Workers. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Communications from Boston University and my master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California, where I focused my training on children, adolescents, and families. I live in the South Bay with my husband, our kids, and our two dogs including our puppy, Sunny, who will hopefully become a therapy dog and join me at my practice down the road.
Take the first step…
Beginning therapy - even just making the first call or sending the first email - can be difficult, so I invite you to read the How It Works page if you’re unfamiliar with the process or reach out via the Contact Me page and take that first step toward getting support. If you or a family member are struggling, let’s connect to create a path toward more hope and wellbeing together.
