I received my Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Denver in 2000, and my Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology in 2006. Over the years I have worked with clients from a broad range of ages, ethnicities, religious backgrounds, and primary concerns. I have also trained in a number of different therapy modalities, including humanistic-existential counseling, solution-focused therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and family systems therapy. Perhaps my biggest takeaways from such a varied background are
1- by far, the most successful therapy outcomes take place when a client has a good connection with their therapist. My first and consistent priority is to create and maintain a space between us that feels safe and productive to you.
2- everyone, young and old, has strengths, gifts, and creative ideas that are both unique to them and often under-used as a resource for mental health and well-being, and
3- clinical theory is not one-size-fits-all when it comes to therapy.
I firmly believe everyone has personal strengths, often under-valued or under-utilized. I love helping clients who, due to personal/psychological, family, or societal/community issues are being blocked from seeing their unique qualities as means to a more fulfilling life and their strengths as a means to get there. I also provide culturally competent psychotherapy, and I strive to respectfully incorporate community, cultural, and/or religious systems of my clients into their work.
I will work with you to decide on a personalized mix of therapeutic techniques that fit your experiences and goals, identify strengths and untapped personal resources, as well as addressing symptoms, roadblocks, and negative self-evaluations.
