Even the strongest of us need support sometimes.
THERAPY CAN HELP!
Let's face it, life can be challenging, painful and unpredictable. With the right tools, insight and a little courage, you can get through almost anything... and learn to do it well with practice!
I BELIEVE:
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True change and growth requires a willingness to take risks.
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Resiliency and self-trust are strengthened by facing and moving through adversity.
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You can’t truly “know” what you're capable of until you try...
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And if you don't try, nothing will change.
MY BIO
I have over over 25 years of experience in the mental heath field as an Educator, Trainer, Grant Writer, Program Developer, Clinical Supervisor, Consultant, Counselor and Therapist.
I was the former Supervisor and Program Developer for the RISE Project (Resiliency Interventions for Sexual Exploitation) with Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness.
My academic training and expertise are in Clinical Psychology with specializations in Couples, Marriage Counseling, Infidelity, Relationship Issues, Family Therapy, Divorce, Personality Disorders, DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), Gender-Specific Counseling, Trauma-Focused Therapy, Sexual Exploitation, Teens, Juvenile Justice & Clinical Supervision.
MY APPROACH
WHAT I BELIEVE
I believe true happiness, change & growth require taking risks...having the courage to be our genuine self in front of others...even when we are afraid or uncomfortable.
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WHY IS IT SO HARD?
Genuineness requires us to be vulnerable which can be quite uncomfortable. We are taught early on to hide our true selves from others so we won't get hurt, judged, ridiculed, rejected, experience failure etc.
Over time and after years of covering up, suppressing, pleasing others, being paralyzed by the fear of rejection & failure, or denying who we are and what we want, we forget who we really are and get lost...believe me, I've been there! This is why I developed my innovative creative individual and relationship counseling approach; which is uniquely tailored to each persons' needs & strengths.
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Vulnerability is not weakness...it is the vital component in human strength. It is actually what makes us resilient and allows us to truly be seen, connect with others, feel loved, and know our worth!
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MY CREATIVE COUNSELING STYLE
I am open-minded, straightforward & genuine...so no jargon or surprises in our counseling sessions. Building a candid non-judgmental relationship with your therapist is vital & therapy should be as transparent as possible. My creative counseling style is a compassionate, collaborative temporary partnership vs a long term "patient/therapist" process. You are the pilot flying your plane...I am simply the control tower helping you reach your desired destination with the least amount of obstacles as possible.
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YOU CAN'T CHANGE YOUR PAST...BUT YOU CAN CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK ABOUT IT!
My creative counseling approach utilizes a non-traditional research based counseling model, where we will focus mostly on the "HERE & NOW", exploring how your perception of the past influences your present & future. Your past does not have to define you or doom your future. In short, the idea is to reduce dwelling on or trying to change your past or worrying about your future so you can work on the things in therapy that you actually have control over in the moment.
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We will look at thoughts, experiences, and beliefs which may be holding you back and create a new more accurate narrative...a narrative that is true to you NOW, not your past. It is not your fault how others may have harmed you...and I believe you can heal from whatever adversity you have experienced. Through my creative counseling approach we can work together to create that fulfilled and purposeful life you have always wanted!
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Beyond the bio...
As a self-proclaimed optimistic-realist and forever nonconformist, I take a somewhat nontraditional approach to life and my therapy approach. Transparency, direct communication, vulnerability, and genuineness are at the core of what I aspire to live by, both personally and in my creative counseling style.
Easy enough concepts to understand...not always so easy to follow. Some days I walk effortlessly in these and other days I do not. Yes...even therapists stumble through life just like everyone else and I am no exception. I do however "practice what I preach", and practicing these concepts have made my life easier, more fulfilled, balanced, more connected, resilient, happier etc...all that good stuff.
MEDIA & RESOURCES
Media, Articles &
Interviews
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Research, Development & Trainings
Programs, Projects &
Grants
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