My role as a therapist is to create a safe and non-judgmental environment where you can express your true feelings and learn more about yourself. Having a safe place to explore and express your confusion or despair can be the first step to healing and growth. I can assist you in resolving your past pain in an effort to promote insight and healing. In an environment of warmth and genuineness, I will affirm your strengths and challenge you to use them. I have experience working with clients struggling through grief/loss, substance abuse, childhood trauma, abusive relationships, codependency, depression, anxiety and relational difficulties. I can work with you to promote awareness, insight and change in order to help you reach your own unique goals. I work with those who struggle with PTSD, trauma related to abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse, domestic violence, grief and other traumas. I have trained extensively in evidence-based practices including Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), Infant Massage and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Substance Abuse & Dependence:
I have worked with individuals who have struggled with addiction to opiates, alcohol and other illicit drugs. I use psychotherapy, motivational interviewing and relapse prevention to assist my clients in achieving their goals of staying clean and sober as well as reducing harm around substance use. I provide psychoeducation for addiction, as well as teach coping skills to assist with the anxiety and frustrations that come with substance abuse. I also recognize abstinence may not always be a client’s goal for treatment. I have training specific to harm reduction therapy techniques as well as assisting individuals achieve and maintain abstinence from substances. Motivating an individual to make positive changes requires a Therapist to start where the client is and not where the Therapist thinks he/she should be.
Anxiety:
I assist individuals experiencing all levels and form of stress, anxiety, and depression. Many of my clients are adults and adolescents working to reduce their anxiety, increase self-esteem, resolve past trauma, and increase personal growth. I use cognitive behavioral therapy, teach mindfulness and relaxation techniques to individuals dealing with anxiety.
Adolescents:
I have worked with adolescents with different issues such as anxiety, ADHD, depression, identity, self-esteem issues, self-harming and oppositional behavior. I also have experience working with adolescents dealing with trauma such as sexual abuse, physical abuse, bullying, divorce and grief. I use the Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral model to assist adolescents with trauma.
Professional Experience:
Star View Community Services
Mental Health Specialist 3
Assist 5-19 year olds with behavioral problems and trauma. Assists parents with effective behavioral management, parenting skills and anger reduction techniques. Assist family unification and help individuals manage mental illness, behavioral problems and substance abuse. Goal of treatment is to improve the overall functioning of the family. Also coordinate treatment with DCFS, family members, school administrators and faculty, probation officers, and other agencies when necessary.
Bay Area Addiction Research and Treatment, B.A.A.R.T.
Methadone Maintenance/Detox Counselor
Provided individualized counseling to those struggling with opiate addiction. Methadone maintenance is a harm reduction approach to treat opiate addiction. Provided drug education, life skills education, case management, referral services and relapse prevention to clients. As a substance abuse professional, I recognize that individuals change these behaviors on their own time and assisting individuals to develop this motivation towards positive change is important.
Education:
University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
National University, Los Angeles, CA
Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
License & Certification:
Licensed Marriage Family Therapist # LMFT52898
California Board of Behavioral Sciences
Certified in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CIMH
Child-Parent Psychotherapy
