everything you might like to know about me.

Therapy is where we’ll be gently and compassionately curious about you. There is no judgment about your past, your experiences, or your thoughts and feelings. Therapy is also where we’ll work to make bold changes. We will examine what you’ve been through, what you’ve learned along the way, and what you want to think and feel moving forward to feel less stressed and more empowered. Walking this path with me has lead many clients to increased calmness, a better sense of self, better relational patterns, and a future pathway that is set for success.

therapeutic approach.

My therapeutic foundation is trauma informed and is primarily based in both psychodynamic and feminist theories. This means the work we do is deeply meaningful, diving both into the conscious and subconscious.

I have learned that therapy is not “one size fits all,” so I been trained in and utilize the following modalities to assist in my approach: Psychodynamic Therapy, Feminist Therapy, Neurodiverse Affirming Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Narrative Exposure Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Polyvagal Theory, and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing.

With this eclectic approach, I recognize and understand the impact of critical life experiences, learned beliefs, learned emotional patterns, relationships, environment, and sociocultural factors on your health and well-being. We assess thoroughly, set clear goals, create a treatment plan, and collaborate together to help you reach your goals and make values-based decisions that set you up for a happy and healthy future.

the science of treatment.

I provide therapy from a social justice orientation, as it’s important to understand our identities, the environments we live in, and how they impact us. Therapy without a focus on intersectional identity isn’t helpful to anyone other than White cisheteropatriarchy. I am queer myself, so I am LGBTQ+ affirming and particularly enjoy working with the queer community. I am also HAES aligned, sex and sex worker positive, neurodivergent affirming, and firmly believe that Black Lives Matter.

social justice matters.

I have a warm disposition that puts my clients at ease and helps them feel safe enough to do the difficult work of therapy. At its core, therapy should feel so, so safe. I am empathic, accepting, and do my utmost to provide an emotionally safe, assumption and bias free perspective from which I can understand your personal experiences. My treatment philosophy promotes self-reflection, self-understanding, and mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Using a highly collaborative and individualized approach, I tailor treatment to each person and their unique needs and concerns.

safety is priority.

I have worked in community mental health, inpatient settings, academia, and private practice for over 10 years. This work means the world to me on both a personal and professional level and is my greatest passion.

I earned my Master’s of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from California State University, Fullerton. During my time at California State University, Fullerton, I worked in many mental health research labs, completed my graduate thesis, and published a journal manuscript on trauma in clinical care. Before leaving graduate school, I also completed my clinical practicum with Western Youth Services, a non-profit under the Orange County Department of Mental Health, specializing in internalizing disorders (depression, anxiety), neurodiversity, complex trauma, and evidenced-based care.

Post graduation, I completed an associateship with Star View Community Services, a non-profit under the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health, and gained formal training in Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Narrative Exposure Therapy. By this chapter in my life, it was clear to me that my favorite work was (and still is) therapy with women and girls revolving around issues of neurodiversity, complex trauma, depression, and anxiety.

After gaining licensure as an LMFT, I have worked in private practice, focussing on working with children, teens, young adults, and families. Since becoming licensed, I have completed additional training regarding Narrative Therapy, Attachment Theory, EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Internal Family Systems, and disordered eating. Clearly I love learning, which is good news for you! My training helps me tailor treatment to best meet your unique needs.

In addition to my clinical work, I have lectured and continue to lecture at various academic institutions, teaching counseling coursework. I most recently (2021-2023) was a Full-Time Faculty Member in the Graduate Department of Counseling at California State University, Fullerton. I recently left that role to focus on my deepest passion — therapy. I continue to run trainings and workshops regarding my expertise on a part-time basis.

formal experience.

get to know me: your future therapist edition

I BELIEVE

Character is more important than diagnosis, everyone on this planet needs play, trauma can impact any of us, saying “no” and and asking for help are worth it, voting matters, small talk is annoying, and deep talk is what connects us to one another.

MY IDENTITY

My identity locations matter to many clients, so I share them freely. I identify as a cis, queer, neurodiverse, white woman. My family of origin was low-income, Catholic & Christian, & Italian-American. I grew up in a family that knew a lot of love but struggled. I am a cycle breaker. I’m a Midwest transplant, with a heavy mix of Midwest practicality and West Coast woo. I am a part of both historically privileged and oppressed groups. I am an advocate and and ally.

PLAYING ON MY SPOTIFY

I love Chappell Roan, SZA, Taylor Swift, St. Vincent, The Chicks, and Hall and Oates. You will routinely hear these artists in my waiting room. Honorable mention: 2000’s emo & 90’s country.

DAILY RITUALS

One big cup of coffee or Irish tea, cuddling with my pets and family, doing something kind for myself and others, scrolling TikTok, eating intuitively, practicing gratitude, asking my inner child what she needs to get through the day.

IN MY SPARE TIME

Hiking anywhere and everywhere, dragging my wife for an iced latte and donut, reading two books at once, traveling anywhere I can, cooking anything from Thai to Italian, Facetiming with my family, annoying my pets, going to concerts with my wife, shopping at the flea market, and catching the next best tearjerker film (ILY Greta Gerwig).

love yourself a little extra today.

feeling warmed up yet?