I have worked in the field of human services and community based counseling in the Monterey Bay Area for 18 years, and have held a clinical license for 8 years. I attended UCSC for undergraduate studies and San Jose State University for graduate school. I am a native Californian, born and raised in the Bay Area. I work with individual adults, youth, couples, people in various types of relationships, LGBTQ individuals and families, and people from a range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Some of the issues I am skilled at working with people on include: attention-deficit disorder, anxiety disorders, addictions/substance abuse and alcoholism, depressive disorders, grief/loss, transitions, pain and stress-related disorders, and other mental health/ clinical disorders. I utilize a client- centered approach, along with cognitive behavioral tools to guide treatment.
Depending on what issues you or your loved ones are experiencing, a combination of approaches is often utilized. My strength lies in tuning into what you need right now to bring you relief.
Professional Affiliations
National Association for Social Workers (NASW) www.naswca.org
California Association for Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) www.camft.org
Approach/Specialization
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) www.nacbt.org is an approach that empirical studies have shown to be affective in treating issues such as anxiety, addictions, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. After a thorough assessment and consultation, I will provide you with a suggested plan of action. I believe identifying goals and a desired outcome from the therapeutic relationship is the best way to help you gain a greater sense of hope and relief. Referrals to other medical professionals such as a medical doctor, or other specialists in the community, may be suggested.
One of the primary goals of CBT is to help you make sense of how certain thoughts and behaviors cause you stress, and ultimately make your symptoms worse. You will begin to learn how to identify thoughts about the world and yourself that are making you feel afraid or upset, and you will gain skill and experience in learning how to replace these thoughts with more accurate and less distressing thoughts. You may also learn ways to cope with feelings such as anger, guilt, and fear.
Much of the individual therapy work in CBT focuses on how best to deal with the here and now, not living too far in our past or our future. In today’s fast-paced world of technology and multi-tasking, it is no wonder so many live in a constant state of hyper arousal and stress. Unfortunately—or fortunately, depending on how you look at it—the mind/body/spirit can’t absorb this stress and pain indefinitely without “dis-ease” setting in. With support, I am confident that you can make changes in your life that will improve your overall health and bring you greater peace and happiness.
Drug & Alcohol Use
Substance abuse affects nearly 1 in 3 people. Most people have a family member who will experience a problem with substance abuse in there lifetime. You are not alone. Reaching out takes courage, and denial is difficult to break through. But trust me, it is worth the effort. Your life free of drugs and alcohol will be better than you could ever imagine!
Have you become concerned that maybe you drink or use drugs too much? Have you tried to stop using, tried controlling your use, or had some recovery and relapsed? Are you missing work? Have friends or family commented on your how much you use?
If you or a loved one thinks they may have a problem with alcohol or drugs, there is help available. I am happy to talk to you and address any difficulties you are having with respect and acceptance. I have many years of experience working in local substance abuse facilities, and in relapse prevention programs with addicts and alcoholics of all ages and circumstances: From executives drinking at work to professionals using pills to deal with stress and pain to teenagers smoking marijuana to college students using stimulants while they study to adults using crystal methamphetamine and heroin. Addiction knows no boundaries, and not only hurts us but those around us. You can stop this cycle, it is not easy at first, but with support you can become healthy and more functional.
If you are interested in individualized support, finding a treatment program, or need support in dealing with a loved one’s addiction, I encourage you to take the first step forward now. You do not need to do this alone.
Taking the first step can help you feel more in control of your life and yourself. Please follow the link below to take a brief quiz to help you determine if you have a substance abuse problem. http://www.aa.org/subpage.cfm?page=71
I have worked in the field of human services and community based counseling in the Monterey Bay Area for 18 years, and have held a clinical license for 8 years. I attended UCSC for undergraduate studies and San Jose State University for graduate school. I am a native Californian, born and raised in the Bay Area. I work with individual adults, youth, couples, people in various types of relationships, LGBTQ individuals and families, and people from a range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Some of the issues I am skilled at working with people on include: attention-deficit disorder, anxiety disorders, addictions/substance abuse and alcoholism, depressive disorders, grief/loss, transitions, pain and stress-related disorders, and other mental health/ clinical disorders. I utilize a client- centered approach, along with cognitive behavioral tools to guide treatment.
Other therapeutic approaches I use include:
Restorative Yoga- www.restorativeyogateachers.com
Expressive Art Therapy, www.arttherapy.org
Family Systems, www.thebowencenter.org
Gestalt, www.gestalt.org
Mindful-based stress reduction tools, www.umassmed.edu/cfm/mbsr
Depending on what issues you or your loved ones are experiencing, a combination of approaches is often utilized. My strength lies in tuning into what you need right now to bring you relief.
Professional Affiliations
National Association for Social Workers (NASW) www.naswca.org
California Association for Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) www.camft.org
Approach/Specialization
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) www.nacbt.org is an approach that empirical studies have shown to be affective in treating issues such as anxiety, addictions, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. After a thorough assessment and consultation, I will provide you with a suggested plan of action. I believe identifying goals and a desired outcome from the therapeutic relationship is the best way to help you gain a greater sense of hope and relief. Referrals to other medical professionals such as a medical doctor, or other specialists in the community, may be suggested.
One of the primary goals of CBT is to help you make sense of how certain thoughts and behaviors cause you stress, and ultimately make your symptoms worse. You will begin to learn how to identify thoughts about the world and yourself that are making you feel afraid or upset, and you will gain skill and experience in learning how to replace these thoughts with more accurate and less distressing thoughts. You may also learn ways to cope with feelings such as anger, guilt, and fear.
Much of the individual therapy work in CBT focuses on how best to deal with the here and now, not living too far in our past or our future. In today’s fast-paced world of technology and multi-tasking, it is no wonder so many live in a constant state of hyper arousal and stress. Unfortunately—or fortunately, depending on how you look at it—the mind/body/spirit can’t absorb this stress and pain indefinitely without “dis-ease” setting in. With support, I am confident that you can make changes in your life that will improve your overall health and bring you greater peace and happiness.
Drug & Alcohol Use
Substance abuse affects nearly 1 in 3 people. Most people have a family member who will experience a problem with substance abuse in there lifetime. You are not alone. Reaching out takes courage, and denial is difficult to break through. But trust me, it is worth the effort. Your life free of drugs and alcohol will be better than you could ever imagine!
Have you become concerned that maybe you drink or use drugs too much? Have you tried to stop using, tried controlling your use, or had some recovery and relapsed? Are you missing work? Have friends or family commented on your how much you use?
If you or a loved one thinks they may have a problem with alcohol or drugs, there is help available. I am happy to talk to you and address any difficulties you are having with respect and acceptance. I have many years of experience working in local substance abuse facilities, and in relapse prevention programs with addicts and alcoholics of all ages and circumstances: From executives drinking at work to professionals using pills to deal with stress and pain to teenagers smoking marijuana to college students using stimulants while they study to adults using crystal methamphetamine and heroin. Addiction knows no boundaries, and not only hurts us but those around us. You can stop this cycle, it is not easy at first, but with support you can become healthy and more functional.
If you are interested in individualized support, finding a treatment program, or need support in dealing with a loved one’s addiction, I encourage you to take the first step forward now. You do not need to do this alone.
Taking the first step can help you feel more in control of your life and yourself. Please follow the link below to take a brief quiz to help you determine if you have a substance abuse problem.
http://www.aa.org/subpage.cfm?page=71