My background
I began my journey towards becoming a full time licensed therapist after having been a senior-level manager in tech -- most recently in the People Operations team at Google. In my dozen or so years there, I helped build the technical infrastructure, renewable energy and mobile organizations and manage the large global technical hiring team. I have worked with a broad range of people -- from newbie individual contributors to directors and C-level executives. My therapy clients -- especially in tech -- tell me they value my experience in their world, understanding both the benefits and burdens of their workplace life. The world of shuttles, TGIFs, D,E & I initiatives and performance reviews is not a mystery to me. I also enjoy working with other types of clients -- creatives, medical, financial, biotech and legal professionals and more. I completed my training as a therapist while working full-time in a demanding tech role — stepping away from that world over nine years ago to practice therapy full time.
What it's Like to Work with Me
My therapeutic style is warm and supportive and my aim is to make you feel comfortable as we explore your current world and relationships and find ways to build more support and find greater insight and satisfaction. My clients tell me they appreciate my empathy and ability to bring humor and perspective into our work. I typically see clients weekly -- at least initially -- as understanding your world and establishing a strong therapeutic alliance is critical to the success of our work. I think understanding areas of distress and (particularly) their roots in your early relationships is incredibly helpful in promoting healing. I enjoy working with clients to develop strategies to create happier relationships and greater resiliency. Life always throws us curveballs, so it can be helpful to have the support and tools available to thrive in challenging situations.
My Areas of Focus
I work with a wide range of clients, from those in current distress and processing significant trauma to those not in crisis and working to enhance their self understanding to help their relationships and careers. I work with people on their relationships, work life, money issues, sexual problems, life transitions, managing stress and anxiety, depression, spiritual exploration and more. I go into greater detail in the Specialties section of this site.
EDUCATION and licensing
BA in English - University of California, Berkeley
T.Cred in Education - University of California, Berkeley (Stoltz Family Scholar)
Masters of Divinity - Catholic University of America (University Scholar)
MA in Integral Counseling Psychology - California Institute of Integral Studies
California MFT License #MFC50184
professional MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS
Board of Directors - Marina Counseling Center
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
Gaylesta - The Psychotherapist Association for Gender and Sexual Diversity
Northern California Community for Emotionally Focused Therapy
International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy