A LITTLE ABOUT MYSELF

I have long been fascinated by human beings and their endlessly interesting and complex stories. To that end, I spent the first part of my adult life as a writer/journalist in New York City. I later moved to the West Coast, became a mom, and was equally delighted and challenged by the tiny humans I was tasked with raising. 

Along the way, I have been fortunate to find the support and acceptance of several skilled, compassionate therapists. My work with them allowed me to uncover and confront the obstacles that were holding me back from living fully and authentically.

These experiences have deepened my understanding of human nature and the elements of building healthy relationships, and inspired me to pursue a career as a therapist. My greatest desire is to help others face their challenges head-on in order to increase their purpose, meaning, and connection with others. 

I hold a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, Los Angeles, a program I chose for its emphasis on social justice.  I received a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies/Sociology as well as a Master of Science in Journalism from Columbia University in New York City. 

I am a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) #128167, based in Culver City, California. I am currently conducting all sessions via telehealth due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Clinical Experience

• Volunteer counselor at Southern California Counseling Center (SCCC), where I treat individuals, couples, teens, and families. SCCC is a non-profit community mental health center and training facility that believes mental health is a right, not a privilege.

• School-based counselor for students at Larchmont Charter Elementary and LAUSD’s Fairfax High School

• Group facilitator, SCCC’s abuse prevention program (TAPP) for court-mandated and non-mandated individuals who have experienced intimate partner violence, both as aggressors and survivors

• Group facilitator, SCCC’s Best Practice Parenting group

• Group facilitator, SCCC’s Healing From Betrayal group

Trainings

• Via The Institute for Creative Mindfulness, fully trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy, a highly effective and proven modality for helping people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences.

• Community Resilience Model (CRM) from the Trauma Resource Institute

• Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM), Level 1 from the Trauma Resource Institute

• Yearlong weekend training in Relational Gestalt Therapy with the Pacific Gestalt Institute (currently in year 2 of training)

• Certified in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

• Yearlong weekly training in couples and family therapy at SCCC

• Batterer’s Facilitator certification from California Cognitive Behavioral Institute

• Introductory training series in Integrative Body Psychotherapy (aka Somatic Psychotherapy) with Riley K. Smith, MA, LMFT