My mission is to provide you with the highest level of care that I can; to be honest with you about what I think I can help with, and if I can’t, to help find the support you need. I promise to be 100% real with you so you feel supported and understood. I’m not saying it will always be easy, but I can promise you will have me by your side on your journey.
I am a board certified, licensed clinical psychologist, boarded through the American Board of Clinical Psychology (ABPP). I am one of a small group of specialists in the US to have earned this credential. Prior to beginning my private practice, I was the Clinical Director at the Feeling Good Institute. Although I loved my role, clinical work is where my heart is and I wanted to devote my attention to my clients needs. Some describe my services as “boutique” since I attempt to be available for you more than your ’50 minute’ weekly session if needed.
Some of my areas of specialization include OCD, anxiety, disordered eating, trauma and imposter syndrome. I also specialize in parent coaching, with SPACE treatment for parents of anxious teens as well as FBT for parents of adolescents with eating disorders.
I am a Level Five Certified TEAM-CBT therapist and trainer, which means I have the highest level of training in a specialized CBT treatment approach developed by David Burns, MD at Stanford University. You can listen to me on Dr. David Burn’s podcast to learn more about my style.
My Philosophy
Treatment depends on what’s troubling you and what you respond best to. My approach will be evidence based and depend on various factors including what you want from treatment. I enjoy working with ethnically and culturally diverse backgrounds and will always make it a point to understand how you identity as a person (culturally, sexually, racially, physically, etc), in other words, we’ll incorporate your cultural intersectionality.
Models of therapy that I draw from:
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- TEAM psychotherapy – a CBT based treatment approach developed by David Burns, MD at Stanford University
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness
- Family Based Therapy (FBT)
Professional Organizations:
- American Psychological Association
- American Board of Professional Psychology
- California Psychological Association
- Northern California CBT Network
- International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals
- Society of Clinical Psychology
Education and Training:
I completed my Masters and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Palo Alto University, an APA accredited University. I continued my training by becoming Board Certified in Clinical Psychology, an additional endeavor achieved by approximately 4% of psychologists. The focus is to provide the highest level of care both clinically and ethically.
My training and experience span across a wide range of clinical settings including the Palo Alto Veterans Administration, Kaiser Permanente Department of Adult Psychiatry and Chemical Dependency Recovery Program, the Early Intervention Trauma Clinic, The Healthy Teen Project and outpatient mental health clinics.
My research includes early intervention in trauma survivors, guilt-related cognitions and evidence-based treatments for trauma. I have assisted in clinical research for several projects looking at social constraints, social support and PTSD, prolonged exposure and PTSD recovery, as well as spiritually and recovery from substance abuse.