I love this work. I began to work as a therapist because so many people struggle with suicidiality, conflict with partners, and diagnoses, such as bipolar or epilepsy. I stood by my friends and family through their gloomiest moments. I held their hand until they survived. I watch them thrive. I decided to learn how to do more, so I went to school and got my masters.
When looking at this world, it is so easy to get lost in the darkness. It matters to me to do my best to help people find their inner light again. Determining why we are here means nothings if we cannot find a reason to love who we are. Being a therapist brings me so much joy. Each person's story is an adventure of who they were, who they are, and who they want to be. I cherish finding the pieces that make someone so special they find that sense of purpose, value, and meaningfulness. I'm not a crazy optimist. Bad things happen. It makes sense to feel sad or depressed. It makes sense to feel anxious and stuck. It is a struggle, a challenge, a battle. It is not something that needs to be done alone. To hold the light when it is darkest is the greatest honor someone can give me.
I grew up in Pasadena and have lived in the Los Angeles area most of my life. My undergraduate work focused on art and society. I enjoy finding ways to bring creativity to the world around me. Following graduate school, I gave birth to two wonderful daughters who are the light of my life, even when they can be a little nuts. Personally, I used art to help me transition through my life and difficult times. As a part of my practice, I specialize in art therapy, postpartum, Couples work, and EMDR. I enjoy incorporating mindfulness and positive psychology themes, Imago couples therapy, and post-modern philosophy.
I've worked with diverse populations, from children to seniors. I graduated from Phillips Graduate University and began serving in the counseling center. I work with individuals of all ages, couples, and families. No one is ever too old for art therapy or too young for mindfulness.
Therapy is meant to support you. It is in our practice together that we find the healing that you seek. The best way to find out if we can work together is to give me a call. I want to find what best benefits you and look forward to talking with you soon!
When looking at this world, it is so easy to get lost in the darkness. It matters to me to do my best to help people find their inner light again. Determining why we are here means nothings if we cannot find a reason to love who we are. Being a therapist brings me so much joy. Each person's story is an adventure of who they were, who they are, and who they want to be. I cherish finding the pieces that make someone so special they find that sense of purpose, value, and meaningfulness. I'm not a crazy optimist. Bad things happen. It makes sense to feel sad or depressed. It makes sense to feel anxious and stuck. It is a struggle, a challenge, a battle. It is not something that needs to be done alone. To hold the light when it is darkest is the greatest honor someone can give me.
I grew up in Pasadena and have lived in the Los Angeles area most of my life. My undergraduate work focused on art and society. I enjoy finding ways to bring creativity to the world around me. Following graduate school, I gave birth to two wonderful daughters who are the light of my life, even when they can be a little nuts. Personally, I used art to help me transition through my life and difficult times. As a part of my practice, I specialize in art therapy, postpartum, Couples work, and EMDR. I enjoy incorporating mindfulness and positive psychology themes, Imago couples therapy, and post-modern philosophy.
I've worked with diverse populations, from children to seniors. I graduated from Phillips Graduate University and began serving in the counseling center. I work with individuals of all ages, couples, and families. No one is ever too old for art therapy or too young for mindfulness.
Therapy is meant to support you. It is in our practice together that we find the healing that you seek. The best way to find out if we can work together is to give me a call. I want to find what best benefits you and look forward to talking with you soon!
What is Mindfulness?Mindfulness is the process of focusing awareness on the current moment. It can train us to focus attention on what we need to. In our lives, there are many things vying to grab our attention. Mindfulness allows us to practice giving our attention to what is truly most important to us.
Try out this breathing link for a fun way to test it out (I am not affiliated with the producers of this youtube channel in any way). It suggests doing the breathing activity for 10 minutes. Just try for a minute at first or even just 30 seconds. Then each day try to do it a little longer and see how it feels. What is Post-Modern?There are many different types of therapy out there, as there are many therapists. It is important to make sure that you find the therapist who is right for you. I work from a place of collaboration and curiosity. I intend to remain curious and never presume to know the answers to your questions. The therapeutic theories I work from are all within something called the Post-Modern Framework and include Narrative, Solution-Focused, Positive Psychology and Collaborative Language Systems.
|
What is Art Therapy?Art therapy is a process using creative media for self-expression. This artwork is used to develop goals and explore conflicts as well as build self-awareness and personal strength. It is then processed together through talk therapy.
Talk therapy engages with the language-processing ability of our brains, while art therapy allows us to connect with our emotional center through movement and experience. When we process the art together, we build stronger connections between the two hemispheres of the brain. Art therapy is good for everyone no matter your age or gender. We can explore different medias and find which one suits you best. 
|
What is the purpose of therapy as I see it?
|
Therapy is designed around what works best for you as the client. The intention is to create a collaborative conversation that leads to growth. In this growth, a client will reach the goals they have laid out and process or resolve problems they are currently facing. Each client will create goals for themselves and develop their own plan for treatment. I do not diagnose clients. If a diagnosis needs to be made, I make it collaboratively with you, my client. You, as the client, decide when therapy begins and when it ends.
|
My Background |
Education
Phillips Graduate University - MA in Psychology specializing in Marriage & Family Therapy/Art Therapy Yoga House - 300 hour yoga teacher training Mini Yogis® - 10 hour kids (ages 3-11) yoga teacher training SoulCollage® Institute - SoulCollage® Facilitator Postpartum Support International Training (Basic and Advanced) Certified Postpartum Support International Mental Health Provider (PSI6029) Suicide Assessment and Prevention Training EMDR - EMDRia (Trained) Trauma-Informed Certification from Community Resilience Initiative by Brain Wise Solutions Training in Imago Couples Counseling Brainspotting Trained in Phase 1 & 2 Brainspotting for Children and Adolescents Expansion Brainspotting T.R.I.P. (Trauma Regulation & Integration Process) Employment Institute for Girls' Development David H. Fox Counseling Center - Focus on Post-Modern Therapy and Art Therapy Private Practice |
