I became a therapist because I wanted to make a direct difference in the lives of others. After 26+ years of working with individuals, teens and couples though some off their most challenging moments, I still feel that same sense of privilege every time someone trusts me with their story— and that never gets old.
My Background
I’m a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFC37708) based in San Diego, California. I have a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family from Pepperdine University and a degree in Communications from UC Santa Barbara. I’m also a certified personal and professional strategic coach, which means I support clients not just in processing what’s hard, but in moving toward meaningful growth in their lives, careers and relationships.
While attending graduate school I taught in Los Angeles Unified and was a director and trainer in recreational programming for youth and special medical populations across private and nonprofit settings — work that shaped how I approach therapy today. I bring that same belief in people’s capacity to grow and heal into every session.
A Little About Me
I’m a mother of three young adults and have personally navigated the full stretch of parenting — from elementary school through college and beyond — while juggling sports, activities and a busy household. I know what it looks like when life feels like a lot to manage, because I’ve lived it too. Now an empty nester, I enjoy staying active and spending time with friends and family as well as traveling.
I spend as much time outdoors as I can in San Diego and beyond and I love the ocean. I volunteer with ICO (Inspiring Connections Outdoors), helping connect youth with limited access to nature through outings that promote wellness, connection and leadership. These experiences shape how I show up with clients—grounded, real and without judgement.
My Therapeutic Approach
What I bring to every session is genuine curiosity about your specific experience, a practical focus on real tools you can use and a commitment to making therapy feel like a true collaboration — not something that happens to you. My goal is always for you to leave with more than insight — I want you to feel the difference our work together makes in your life.
That means I’m an active, engaged presence in the room — not a passive listener who simply reflects your words back to you. I bring in psychoeducation, neuroscience-informed techniques and real explanations of why you feel and respond the way you do — so you can stop white-knuckling through it and start making real, lasting change. I’ll share observations, offer honest feedback and sometimes gently challenge the stories you’ve been telling yourself, because real growth rarely happens in a space that stays too comfortable to get honest. At the same time, I follow your lead — meeting you where you are and building from there toward the goals and changes that brought you here in the first place.
I believe one of the most important things a therapist can do is make the process transparent. I’ll explain why we’re doing what we’re doing, connect the work in the room to your real life outside of it and check in regularly to make sure what we’re doing is actually landing for you. If something isn’t working, we talk about it and try a different angle. Therapy should feel like it’s working.
Sessions tend to be a mix of exploring what’s underneath the patterns keeping you stuck, building concrete skills you can use right away and helping you develop a clearer, more compassionate relationship with yourself. I pay attention to what’s showing up in your body as well as your thoughts — because anxiety, stress and trauma don’t live only in the mind.
I integrate evidence-based approaches tailored to your needs, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Informed Care, Interpersonal Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, Strategic Intervention and Human Needs Psychology.
My areas of continuing education include CBT, anxiety, depression, trauma, emotional regulation and somatic treatments, relationship challenges and narcissistic abuse recovery — areas where I see the greatest need among the clients I work with.
You don’t have to arrive ready for change. Sometimes you just need a space to be truly heard first — and that’s exactly where we start.
Specialized Training & Certifications
I have completed Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 1 training — a research-based approach for improving communication, managing conflict and deepening emotional connection in relationships.
I hold Advanced Certification in Strategic Intervention and Marriage Education from the Madanes Training Institute, and I was a founding class member of the Robbins-Madanes Training Program, developed by Cloe Madanes and Tony Robbins.
I remain committed to ongoing continuing education across all areas of my practice.
My background also includes:
- Presenting workshops on communication, relationship skills, parenting, stress management, personal development, team building and goal setting
- Owning and managing a small business, giving me direct insight into the work-life balance and professional pressures many of my clients face
- DIS counseling in past school settings across Poway and Vista Unified School Districts
- Extensive experience in outpatient and residential treatment settings, supporting victims of crime, family preservation services, domestic violence survivors and families.
- Collaborating with medical professionals, teachers, school staff and community professionals to support client’s wellbeing
I am a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) and the North San Diego CAMFT chapter. Staying current matters to me because my clients deserve a therapist who is continuously growing too.
Let’s Connect
If you’re looking for a therapist — with warmth, experience and a genuinely collaborative approach — I’d love to connect. I work with adults, teens and couples throughout California, including San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County and the San Francisco Bay Area, via secure video telehealth. Having lived in these areas, I understand the unique environments and pressures that can shape your experience. I currently have openings available.
Contact me for a free 15-minute phone consultation so you can ask questions and decide if it feels like the right fit. There’s no obligation — just an opportunity to see if we’d work well together.
I look forward to hearing from you.
