I offer psychotherapy and art therapy for adults, couples and families, parent consultations, and workshops.

You’re probably here because something in your life has become too much to bear. I passionately believe that with the right help, you can move from suffering and uncertainty to clarity and empowerment.

If you’re feeling lonely, alienated, confused about your relationships, hurt, angry, or feeling unheard; if you’re finding the stress of parenting overwhelming, or feeling defeated by cycles of conflict, I’d like to help you.

Together, we’ll explore how to get to a place where the ups and downs in life feel manageable instead of overwhelming.

ADULTS & COUPLES

I work with individuals, couples and families who are in pain and hungry for change. I support you in healing areas of your life that have created distress - restoring and repairing areas in your life that feel broken. Our sessions provide a safe space for you to discover a deeper understanding or yourself and your important relationships.

Feeling alone and emotionally cut-off from partners, family members or friends who you want to feel closest to is a painful experience and creates pervasive self-doubt. If you feel chronically misunderstood or even shamed, you may find yourself stuck and hopeless about your ability to have fulfilling relationships and real connections.

I work with those wounded by their family systems - who have experienced trauma or abuse, have struggled with a narcissistic parent or partner, or have been negatively impacted by relationships with their in-laws. Poor communication, unhealthy boundaries, and ineffective conflict resolution may be getting in the way of healthy relationships.

I help adults and couples struggling with:

• Depression and anxiety

• Traumatic experiences

• Complex relationship issues

• Separation and divorce

• Sexual issues, including sexual trauma

FAMILIES & PARENTING

For families of all ages and forms, I help you reduce conflict, build secure connections, and deal with difficult transitions. I provide an affirming, nonjudgmental space for parents to gain confidence and feel supported in their journey.

I can help your family:

• Develop secure, healthy relationships

• Improve communication

• Find healing from traumatic experiences

• Increase cooperation

• Navigate family transitions, blended families, and co-parenting 

ART THERAPY

Art therapy provides a tool for non-verbal self-expression with direct access to emotions, drives, and memories. As part of the therapeutic process art therapy can act as a means for gaining new perspective, recognizing connections, sharing experiences. No artistic skill or experience is required to participate in art therapy.

I also offer Family Art Assessments for my own clients as well as in collaboration with other therapists as a tool for gaining insight into family relationship dynamics.

No matter the age or stage of life, being able to genuinely connect in an empathetic and non-judgmental manner allows a relationship to form that contributes to healing.

In my practice you’ll find gentle, compassionate care that fosters safety, embodiment, choice, voice and empowerment. I welcome and embrace humor, which can offer perspective on life's challenges. I prioritize consciousness of cultural issues, systemic injustices, and social marginalization.

My approach to psychotherapy is relational and attachment-based, integrating somatic awareness and art therapeutic processes. I understand that chronic stress and trauma negatively affect both mental and physical health. To gain understanding of your life in context, we’ll explore what you’ve experienced and how you’ve adapted to survive and, more importantly, how to support your healing moving forward.

Since 2013 I’ve provided therapy in settings including clinics, private practices, and residential treatment programs. Previously, I worked for 20 years as an educator in kindergarten, middle and high school, and have worked extensively with parents and families. Due to being an educator and a parent, I often provide parent coaching. My deep knowledge in childhood development enriches my work with parents and families.

Through my own process of healing from family trauma and dysfunction, and in raising my own family, I've gained a deep understanding of how change happens and a firm belief in the potential of change for everyone.

EDUCATION

I hold a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, and Art Therapy, from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, and am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of California, license #113986. 

I have advanced training in:

• Art Therapy

• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy 

• Strategic Family Therapy and Milan Group

• Family Art Assessment

• Assessing and Treating Sexual Issues

• Consensus Facilitation

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS

• CA Association of Marriage and Family Therapists

• CA Board of Behavioral Sciences (#113986)

• American Art Therapy Association

• Association of Family Therapists of Northern CA

Perhaps friends, workshops or even books have helped you cope or diminished your pain, but it wasn’t enough. Maybe you’ve thought of psychotherapy before but weren’t ready. Now’s the time.

I typically meet with clients once a week, which in most cases provides enough support to make steady progress on the issues I treat. The intensity of presenting issues often subsides after 6-8 sessions, with clients usually choosing to continue therapy in order to learn more about themselves and continue their growth. In crisis situations, or to meet a client’s schedule, it can be possible to meet more or less frequently to accommodate needs.

My fees are $175 per 50-minute individual session and $250 per 90-minute couples or family session. For 90-minute extended Art Therapy sessions, and Family Art Assessments, the fee is $275 per session. A limited number of sliding scale sessions are available between 1:00 and 4:00 pm. Payment is due the day of the appointment, by personal check, cash and debit / credit / FSA / HSA.

I do not accept any insurance plans at this time, but can provide you with documentation to submit to your insurance provide for reimbursement. If your insurance plan is a PPO you may be eligible for reimbursement of a significant portion of the fees. You can check your coverage by calling the number on the back of your insurance card and getting answers to the following questions:

• Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?

• Do I have a deductible? What is my deductible and has it been met for this calendar year?

• Are there any limitations on my coverage (i.e., number of sessions, specific diagnoses, etc.)?

• Is pre-authorization required from my primary care physician?

• What percentage of my (out-of-network) therapist's fees will be reimbursed?

Please also note when using insurance for psychotherapy, the treatment must be considered "medically necessary” and will require the documentation of a diagnosis.

SCHEDULING AND CANCELLATIONS

I ask clients to inform me of any scheduling changes one week in advance. If you are unable to keep your appointment, please give me at least 24 hours’ notice. For cancellations less than 24 hours in advance, clients are responsible for the full fee as I have reserved the hour for you and will probably be unable to fill it with another client on such short notice. If it’s possible to reschedule you within the same week, you will not be charged for a missed session.

NOTICE OF GOOD FAITH ESTIMATE

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service.

If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

If you’re ready to get started, just click the “request an appointment” button below to schedule your first session.

If you’d like more information first, please give me a call or send me an email to schedule a free 15-minute consultation during which time you can share something about what's going on for you, and I can answer any questions you might have about how I can help.