A little about my professional & educational experiences: My mental health field experience began in 2004 when I worked with children and adults who were hospitalized for serious mental health disorders at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, WPIC while I was pursuing my BS in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. I loved learning about the family systems and the various services available to help individuals succeed with their mental health. I was fortunate to study abroad Social Psychology in Surfers Paradise, Australia before moving across country to San Diego, CA to further my role with helping individuals and families.

Once I moved to Sunny San Diego, CA I worked as a substance use counselor while studying to obtain my CAADAC certification. While I was working and studying, I became interested in obtaining my MSW degree with an emphasis in Child Welfare from California State University, San Bernardino and applied for the scholarship. During the application process, I worked as an inpatient residential mental health counselor with severely emotionally disturbed and developmentally delayed youth at Fred Finch Youth Center.

I always worked and studied in unison which allowed for me to integrate the material best in my opinion. My focus and passion to help those impacted by childhood trauma developed after working within the Regional Center, Child Welfare System Programs- Adoptions, Extended Foster Care, Special Populations Investigations, Non-Profit agencies, Hospitals, outpatient, Corrections, and private practice supporting youth, adults, parents, families, and systems. SO many of our society’s deepest darkest secrets revolve around substance use and emotional dysregulation, therefore I love to help support parents who are in the trials and tribulations of caregiving as I feel it’s the most helpful I can be to help an entire family system.

After working with the public for the last 30 years, I fundamentally find inherent self-worth and lovability in every human and love accompanying others uncovering their awareness of this in themselves. I know I’m not perfect and I don’t have to be perfect to help others as long as I remind my clients of this as well as myself.

My last 20+ years in the field included working in residential, government, hospital, corrections, and outpatient mental health therapeutic services, all in San Diego & Pennsylvania. You can read more about it here!

I am Gottman Method Couples trained and I love working with couples who have been exposed to trauma, infidelity, infertility, Law Enforcement/Military Branches work dynamics, and parenting components. I have also been trained in CBT-trauma informed techniques, & DBT approaches, Internal Family Systems, forensic motivational interviewing, and EMDR.

Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy is another approach that I am deeply interested in and passionate about as I find it to be helpful for those impacted by trauma. I provide pre and post integrative psychotherapy services for individuals and couples successfully and safely.

I consider myself a lifelong learner and plan on continuing my education and professional development till the day I am no longer able too. I value personal and professional integrity and showing up for what is right- which includes myself, my family, my clients, my community, and the human being population.