MY STYLE
I have a warm, collaborative and interactive style of working that is genuine and compassionate. I prioritize your goals and desires for change, while also encouraging exploration of your current patterns of thinking and being. My services are grounded in a relational, psychodynamic approach with attention to the ideas of Eastern philosophy. I believe in the power of human relationships and their ability to support us in becoming our "best self". Our work together will offer you a place to find a deeper understanding of your emotional life, allowing space to open the mind to creativity and joy.
MY EXPERIENCE
I graduated from the Wright Institute with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Most of my career has been focused on working with adults and youth who have experienced complex trauma, and also struggle with substance misuse and chronic illness. I obtained the Cancer and Illness Trained Clinician Certificate from the Women's Cancer Resource Center and have worked extensively with people and their loved ones who are facing a terminal illness and end of life issues. I have been working in Bay Area social services for over 20 years, 15 of them have been focused on practicing psychotherapy in both private and community health settings. I am dedicated to working with diverse populations of people with attention to social justice issues. My work is informed by harm reduction principles and practices, which believes in “meeting the client where they are at”, in order to create a collaborative working relationship built on respect and trust. I attended a two-year intensive training at the UCSF Infant-Parent Program where I had the rare opportunity to study infant mental health and the fundamentals of early attachment, which deeply informs my practice. I have enjoyed providing client services and staff supervision, training and support in numerous community mental health settings throughout the years which include Sharper Future, Center for Harm Reduction Therapy, SF Pretrial Diversion Court Accountable Homeless Services, Homeless Youth Alliance/San Francisco Needle Exchange, Mission Neighborhood Resource Center, Hospitality House 6th St. Drop-in Center, Tenderloin Aids Resource Center, Tenderloin Health, San Francisco Needle Exchange, SF Aids Foundation and the Cleo Eulau Center.