Originally from a small town in the Midwest, I moved to California for school and fell in love with the warm weather and coastal living. I received my Bachelor’s degree in International Development Studies from UCLA. After graduating I traveled to Kenya and volunteered in an abandoned children’s home. It was during that time that I began to understand the importance of early attachment as the key to a person’s wellbeing. I developed a fascination with how much of a person’s capacity for self-confidence and potential for success depends on the relationship between child and primary caregiver. Upon my return, I completed my Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in child development at Antioch University Los Angeles.
I completed my clinical traineeship at Early Childhood Parenting Center in Santa Monica where I was able to expand my knowledge of human development and deepen my understanding of family systems. I was also an intern at Step by Step Edu-Play where I worked with families with special needs. I trained for two years at The Maple Counseling Center where I further developed my clinical skills working with individuals as well as families in the Mindful Parenting Program.
I was a founding fellow at the Self Injury Institute in Los Angeles where I both practiced and taught family therapy. I have received highly specialized training in NSSI (non-suicidal self-injury) as well as Multiple Impact Family Therapy. I taught graduate level clinical assessment classes at both Phillips Graduate Institute as well as California State University Northridge.
I received training from Dr. Sue Johnson in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy and am a member of The International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy. In addition I am a clinical member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy and was chosen to present at the national AAMFT conference in Austin, TX in 2015.
In the last several years my practice has become more focused on processing and healing trauma using EMDR as well as couple therapy using the PACT model. I have completed all three levels of EMDR training with The Parnell Institute including specialized individual and group consultation. In 2018 I completed level one of Stan Tatkin’s PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy) and continue to receive training and consultation using this model.
I am very passionate about health and wellbeing and truly believe in taking an authentic, holistic, and attachment focused approach to find relief from suffering. In 2019 I moved to Austin with but still maintain a small practice in Los Angeles as well as offering Telehealth services. When I am not working I enjoy spending time outdoors with my family, practicing yoga, and rooting for my beloved Green Bay Packers.
Call me at (310) 770-3136 or email me at [email protected].
