I have Masters degrees in Psychology and Business Administration and am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT #31203), since 1993.

Through the years, I have worked with individuals, couples and families in a variety of treatment settings, including residential treatment, partial hospitalization, non-profit agency, social service, and private practice.  I have treated clients ranging  from those striving to increase their personal satisfaction and quality of life to those struggling with psychosis coupled with chemical dependency and suicidal/homicidal thoughts and behaviors. Most people enter therapy to address feelings of grief/loss, anxiety, fear and life transitions.

Sometimes, struggles manifest in the work setting. I have experience working with executives, administrators, managers, and supervisors to understand and resolve how their personal concerns manifest in the work setting and impact their managerial skills and/or their promotional opportunities.

Additionally, I have training and experience in crisis management and have worked as a Clinical Supervisor at Crisis Support Services, formerly known as Suicide Prevention of Alameda County.  I provide consultation to other therapists, who want to refine their clinical skills or need assistance in knowing how best to work with a specific client.

My experience also includes extensive work in public child welfare. I have managed Alameda County's emergency response, after hours and intake staff and have consulted with the federal government to improve states’ performance in helping families achieve safety, permanency and well being outcomes. Further, I have served on the Children's Bureau's Program Improvement Plan committee for the country and helped to improve states' plans to better serve and target the needs of children and families.

Philosophically, I believe an emotionally healthy individual experiences strength and balance in the following areas:

• Makes and keeps commitments
• Experiences a wide range of deep feelings
• Expects entitlements without being self-absorbed or self-sacrificing
• Feels close to others without feeling engulfed or consumed
• Spends time alone without feeling despair or abandonment
• Acknowledges personal achievements and strengths
• Soothes painful feelings without the overuse or restriction of food
• Expresses creativity of mind and demonstrates creativity through self-expression
• Identifies individual needs, dreams, and goals and comfortably asserts them
• Experiences a solid, secure sense of self even during turbulent times

While some people may struggle in one or more areas, balance can be developed or restored by understanding how an individual chooses, forms, and maintains relationships, and by examining the underlying beliefs and assumptions motivating those choices.

Watch her video about therapy.

Associations

• CAMFT
• NASW
• PINC