About Me
I believe we heal best in connection with others, and that our emotions, even the painful ones, give us important information about what we need.
For over twenty years, I've helped adults, teens, and couples listen more deeply to their emotions and longings. With the spirit of compassionate curiosity, together we will uncover helpful information about your needs, desires, decisions, and relationships.
Rather than denying and hiding the parts of you that "don't fit in", I'll invite you to be curious and welcoming of the things that make you unique.
I am Certified in Emotionally Focused Couples therapy, have extensive training in psychodynamic psychotherapy and in mindfulness, and have studied women's and gender studies and clinical social work. This combination of perspectives helps me to focus on your internal experience (thoughts, feelings, dreams, memories) while also recognizing the impact of social, cultural, racial, and gender dynamics on your sense of self, your relationships, and how you see the world.
Each client has a different path, and together we’ll work to find what feels most helpful for you in our sessions. I am open to your feedback regarding our work, and we will regularly check in to make sure that you are feeling understood and that we are addressing the concerns and issues that feel most relevant to you.
SPECIALTIES
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People who have set aside their own feelings and desires to accommodate others and now want to express themselves more openly. You may want to experience greater intimacy in your relationships, set firmer boundaries, or just feel more at ease with speaking up. Therapy provides a place for you to discover your own voice and to understand why it may have been difficult before now.
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People with childhood sexual trauma and/or physical abuse, or who experienced growing up in chaotic or neglectful environments. These histories often create a sense of fear, distrust, shame, grief and anger, even decades after the trauma has ended. Therapy can help you process and understand distressing events, as well as grieve, soothe old wounds, rebuild a sense of safety, and feel more free to focus on the present.
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Particularly when it manifests as self-doubt, difficulty speaking up for yourself, and a general sense of low motivation or "feeling lost." Therapy can help you reconnect with your wants and needs, quiet your harsh inner critic, and discover more skillful ways to tend to difficult thoughts and feelings.
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Individual and couples therapy for people who want to effectively manage conflicts and differences, communicate vulnerable feelings, balance intimacy with independence, identify and set boundaries, work through feelings of distrust and insecurity, or create bonds that feel safer and more satisfying.
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LGBTQ+ people, including non-binary and gender queer people, who want to work with a therapist who is well-versed in queer and trans-specific concerns, terms, and relationship dynamics. Whether you are seeking support with coming out, self-acceptance, managing societal pressures and stigma, navigating family issues, finding support and community, or just being you, I have a professional and personal affinity for providing support to LGBTQ people.
TRAINING & CREDENTIALS
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LCSW in California since 2003
LCSW in New Mexico since 2022
MSW, Smith College School of Social Work
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Certified Therapist and Supervisor in Emotionally Focused Therapy with Couples and Individuals, International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy
Advanced Training in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, The Psychotherapy Institute
Supervision Study Program, focus in Relational Supervision, The Psychotherapy Institute
Dialectical Behavior Therapy, with Marsha Linehan, PhD and others
Level 3 training in Couples Therapy, The Gottman Institute
Mindfulness/MBCT Teacher Training, Spirit Rock Meditation Center
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Monthly Supervision group for EFT Therapists
Experiential Facilitator for Beyond Core Skills
Clinical Supervisor at California Institute of Integral Studies
Faculty at The Psychotherapy Institute
Clinical Supervisor at Mental Health Department, Kaiser Permanente
Clinical Supervisor at The Pacific Center, LGBTQ+ Clinic
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Northern California Community for Emotionally Focused Therapy (NCCEFT)
New Mexico Emotionally Focused Therapy Community (NMEFT)
The International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT)
The Psychotherapy Institute (TPI)
Gaylesta Psychotherapist Association for Sexual and Gender Diversity