Having been born and raised in the Bay Area, I was surrounded by diverse cultures and backgrounds that played a key role in my early training as well as my work today. I have worked in various schools in the Bay Area, working with teachers and staff in building a stronger connection with the families of the students, as well as giving voice to the students themselves. I have worked with individuals and families in community mental health settings and offering assistance in various avenues to help build a community for the clients. During my postdoctoral work at The Cancer Support Community, I worked closely with cancer patients and their loved ones working through grief and loss, as well as heading up the children’s program that offers support for the children whose parents have cancer. After several years as a Registered Psychological Assistant, I was able to expand and deepen my practice and therapeutic approach. 

I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Saint Mary’s College of California. I received a Master in Social Work from California State Hayward and obtained my Master and Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from American School of Professional Psychology.

In my off hours, I am an aunt to 5 nieces and 1 nephew. I am usually scouring the internet for exciting ideas for bento lunch boxes and creating a disaster in the kitchen in my attempts to recreate and construct “food art”. I am a novice in amigurumi crochet and always on the hunt for fun but easy crochet patterns. I enjoy baking and have been known for my chocolate chip cookies and raspberry fudge.

My approach:

My practice offers an opportunity for introspection wherever one might be in their journey. With empathy and direct clear goals, we will work on the maladaptive coping habits and finding more productive avenues and coping techniques. By tailoring a plan specifically for you, we will break down the larger goals into more manageable steps. I offer a culturally sensitive and affirming approach in working with all clients. 

I have experience helping teens and emerging adults to successfully transition into adulthood. Life is a series of changes and transitions which can create roadblocks in our paths. Oftentimes, anxiety, depression, as well as other mental health struggles such as past trauma, can be a huge hindrance in our lives. Through our sessions we will find healthy and constructive problem solving to help clear those roadblocks as well as working on self discovery and self confidence.

I work with adults struggling with perfectionism, depression, anxiety, histories of trauma, codependency (which often can manifest in having difficulty in maintaining healthy relationships or difficulties setting boundaries), and other life hurdles that often stand in our way. I offer a direct and strength-based perspective, helping clients to nurture their strengths into self-compassion and working into developing positive interpersonal dynamics so that they can make major changes in their lives. 

In addition, I work with families and children on helping the child and family members to understand their feelings and aid in giving them a voice to effectively communicate those feelings. It is common for a child to act out their behavior as an outlet for their inability to communicate their feelings to adults.Through play and a wide variety of therapeutic techniques, I will help them learn how to productively communicate their feelings. Families who work with me, find that they learn to understand what is driving their child’s behaviors and how to respond to them in ways that will lead to more open interactions and awareness of the of child’s inner thoughts and feelings.