OFFERING IN PERSON AND TELE-HEALTH SESSIONS IN CALIFORNIA
Specialties
Borderline Personality
For as long as I can remember, I have been deeply committed to working with individuals diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). One of the main reasons being that I have found individuals with BPD or BPD traits are highly misunderstood and unfortunately stigmatized. Research indicates that those with BPD often have a biological predisposition towards heightened sensitivity, compounded by chronic invalidation during their formative years. This combination can lead to significant challenges, including emotional instability, fear of abandonment, impulsive behaviors, unstable identity, chronic feelings of emptiness, intense anger, and unstable relationships. Despite these challenges, BPD is highly treatable. In my practice, I am dedicated to helping my clients build lives that are meaningful and aligned with their core values. My approach involves fostering insight and equipping clients with essential skills to manage their symptoms effectively. Together, we work on developing mindfulness practices to live fully in the present moment without judgment, enhancing distress tolerance to navigate crises healthily, and understanding emotions in a more empowering and controlled manner. Additionally, I guide clients in maintaining healthy relationships by establishing boundaries and practicing self-respect. My goal is to provide a supportive and validating environment where clients can not only be heard and seen but also gain the tools they need to navigate their emotions and relationships more effectively. Through our collaborative efforts, we strive to create a sense of stability and fulfillment, helping each individual build a life truly worth living.
High-Achievers
High achievers can experience intense pressure, perfectionism, and burnout, alongside mental health issues. Oftentimes, high achievers may feel they lack peers or a partner that understands their unique pressures. My aim, as their therapist, is to create a balanced approach that supports clients' ambitions while promoting overall well-being and preventing burnout. In addition, I help clients set realistic goals and prioritize tasks to manage workload, encourage them to practice self-compassion and acknowledge their efforts and achievements, teach methods to relax and unwind, and learn how to create meaningful relationships that are fulfilling. By fostering a deep understanding of their intrinsic motivations and challenges, I enable clients to develop sustainable strategies for success. This holistic approach involves not only addressing immediate stressors but also delving into underlying emotional and psychological factors. I focus on enhancing emotional intelligence, fostering a sense of self-worth independent of external success, and instilling sustainable strategies for managing stress and maintaining mental health. This holistic approach ensures that high achievers can thrive, achieving their goals without sacrificing their happiness and well-being. I integrate evidence-based practices with a personalized touch, ensuring that each client receives the support and tools they need to thrive both personally and professionally. Through this comprehensive and empathetic methodology, high achievers can achieve a harmonious balance between their aspirations and overall mental health, paving the way for long-term fulfillment and resilience.
Couples/Marriage Counseling
As a therapist passionate about working with couples, my initial motivation to enter this field stemmed from a deep desire to support and guide relationships through their challenges. In my practice, couples can expect therapy to be a space where all parties are treated with fairness and equality. My goal is to provide a supportive environment where couples can find relief from the conflicts that are causing distress and disconnection. I approach each situation without preconceived notions about whether a couple should stay together or part ways; instead, I aim to be a resource and a safe person for exploring their feelings, conflicts, and hopes for the future. Whether helping couples improve the way they communicate, rediscover their love and commitment, navigate decisions about engagement or marriage, understand and address intimacy issues, rebuild trust, or uncouple in the healthiest and most thoughtful way, I am dedicated to facilitating a process that respects their unique journey and promotes their well-being.
LGBTQIA + identity exploration
As an LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist, my commitment is steadfast in ensuring that every client experiences a profound sense of safety within our therapeutic space. I understand the unique challenges faced by members of the LGBTQIA+ community, both on a macro level—such as societal biases and systemic inequities—and on a micro level, including personal struggles and identity exploration. My goal is to create a therapeutic environment that serves as a sanctuary where clients can fully embrace their authentic selves without fear of judgment or discrimination. I work with individuals at various stages of exploring their sexuality, whether they are questioning and discovering their identities for the first time or have been navigating their sexual orientation for years. My approach is rooted in empathy, respect, and a deep understanding of the diverse experiences within the LGBTQIA+ community. I strive to create a therapeutic space where clients can explore their identities, express their fears and hopes, and build resilience against the challenges they face. Together, we work towards fostering self-acceptance, empowerment, and a sense of belonging.
Emerging Adults (Older teens/young adults)
Working therapeutically with emerging adults involves addressing various developmental challenges they face as they transition into adulthood. I help individuals individuate and form their own identity, create a value system that can help guide their decisions, and challenge any societal pressures or expectations they may be facing. With this population (ages 16-30), I often support clients by enhancing their sense of empowerment and equipping them with skills to navigate adulthood effectively. In our work together, I focus on identifying and amplifying their unique strengths and achievements, which can significantly boost self-esteem and resilience against external pressures. This process involves exploring their passions and interests, setting meaningful and realistic goals, and developing practical strategies to achieve them. I also assist clients in understanding and managing the emotional and psychological aspects of their transition, providing tools for stress management, and fostering a growth mindset to view challenges as opportunities for personal development. Additionally, I work with clients to build and maintain supportive networks, enhance their coping mechanisms, and foster a sense of purpose and direction. By integrating these elements, we create a tailored and actionable path forward that aligns with their personal, interpersonal, and professional aspirations, ultimately empowering them to thrive as they navigate the complexities of adulthood.
Disordered Eating and Body Image Related Issues
As a therapist who works with clients struggling with disordered eating and body image issues, my approach is multifaceted, integrating evidence-based practices to support my clients in their healing journey. I begin by creating a safe and non-judgmental space where clients feel comfortable sharing their experiences and feelings. Utilizing a combination of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and psychodynamic therapy, I help clients develop healthier coping mechanisms and explore the underlying emotional and relational factors contributing to their struggles. For clients experiencing shame around their bodies or eating patterns, I use techniques to address and reframe these negative self-beliefs, fostering a sense of self-compassion and acceptance. With clients who find themselves emotionally eating, I focus on identifying triggers and developing alternative strategies to manage emotions more effectively. By incorporating mindfulness and self-compassion exercises, I guide clients towards a more accepting and nurturing relationship with their bodies. Additionally, I work collaboratively with dietitians and medical professionals to ensure a holistic treatment plan that addresses both the psychological and physical aspects of disordered eating. My goal is to empower clients to reclaim their sense of self-worth and develop a balanced, positive relationship with food and their bodies.
Life Transitions
In my practice, I work with clients navigating a wide range of life transitions, including relationship changes, parenthood, career transitions, loss and grief, relocation, aging, and health-related changes. These transitions often provoke significant anxiety, as the unknown is inherently uncomfortable and mysterious. The uncertainty associated with these changes can be overwhelming, leading to feelings of fear and instability. However, I also view these transitions as opportunities for individuals to rediscover themselves. This period of self-exploration can be both exciting and terrifying, as it challenges clients to process a complex mix of emotions. In therapy, we create a safe space to explore these feelings, fostering resilience and growth. By acknowledging the anxiety and embracing the potential for personal development, clients can navigate these transitions with greater confidence and clarity. Together, we process all the emotions that arise, turning these periods of change into opportunities for profound self-discovery and transformation.