About Me and How I Practice

I have discovered through years of my own practice that beneath all the layers of doing, feeling, thinking and sensing there exists an aspect of the self that is a vast resource of grounding and support. This is the authentic part of us, underlying the ego that I like to call the Essential Self. When we consciously connect to this Essential place in ourselves, we can see clearly through our habits and patterns, stories and distractions. In so doing we have the objectively necessary to create the changes we long for.

As a therapist it brings me great joy to witness and support someone as they deepen, evolve and change. I have been practicing therapy for 10 years, providing the supportive environment for transformation.

My background includes education in traditional Western Psychological Theories coupled with Eastern philosophies. I practice Client-Centered Psychotherapy with emphasis in the Gestalt model. I incorporate the Enneagram, a wonderful tool for self awareness, and use it often with couples and individuals who are interested in seeking deeper understanding. I am trained in EMDR, an effective treatment used for healing trauma.

Examples of how I practice typically involve: 

• Empathic listening and unconditional positive regard
• Guiding body oriented exercises that help clients connect to and know their inner experience
• Teaching clients to recognize the difference between thoughts and experience and to be able to compartmentalize thoughts
• Development of self soothing techniques to manage anxiety and reactivity
• Exercises to help clients connect to the Essential Self
• Introduction to and practice of the Enneagram to help expand awareness
• Examination of behaviors and implementation of more productive alternatives
• Exploration and interpretation of the past to increase understanding of patterns and mechanisms
• Practice of communication styles that support productive dialogue in relationships 
• Addressing resistance or whatever gets in the way of change
• Utilization of EMDR to help clients assimilate unresolved trauma
• Respecting and supporting the client's spiritual path

I earned my Master's degree in Counseling Psychology at California Institute of Integral Studies. I am licensed in California as a Marriage Family Therapist (MFT #41004).