About
Acceptance. Hope. Healing. I have been practicing therapy 9 years but spent over 15 years serving youth/families in various settings (ministry, teaching, tutoring, leadership development, and mental health). I work with all ages, faiths, genders, and sexual orientations. I specialize in serving those struggling with body image, eating disorders, self harm, low self esteem, and survivors of trauma/sexual assault. I am passionate about helping clients make peace with food/their bodies and find joy in helping clients heal from relational hurts/ past trauma. If you think you may benefit from therapy, don't delay. Please seek help!
I am a certified TFCBT therapist working with trauma survivors to process their past. I use the Seeking Safety model to address self harm or other risky behaviors. I specialize helping clients with body image issues, disordered eating, and low self esteem through the Intuitive Eating Model.
While I would never push my beliefs on anyone, I am a Christian and trained in spiritual integration of any beliefs if that is something you would like to bring into therapy. I often find clients struggle with forgiving themselves or others, and I seek to help them reconcile this.
seeing clients heal from past pain and grow into the very best version of themselves!
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I have a 90 minute assessment session where we will fill out paperwork, talk about the structure and purpose of therapy, talk about your goals, treatment planning, and make sure it is a good fit.
We will then meet for hourly sessions usually once a week unless we work something else out that better fits your needs.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have been practicing therapy for 9 years now but have spent over
15 years with youth/families in various settings: ministry, education, coaching, leadership development, and nonprofit work in TX, Central America, and California, where I received my MFT masters degree at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena. I then worked inboth secular and Christian nonprofit community mental health centers.
I am a certified therapist in
TFCBT: Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
MAP: Managing and Adaptive Practices - life coping skills fitting varying diagnoses in children and teens
Seeking Safety: helping individuals find safe coping when dealing with co occuring substance abuse and history of trauma. This is specific also to self harm, disordered eating, fighting, and other risky behaviors
WRAP-AROUND: team work facilitating families in crisis with 24/7 care: therapist, child specialist, and parent partner.
I also use the Intuitive Eating when working with clients with body image issues. I am also trained in psychodynamic, bowenian, strategic, emotionally-focused, narrative, and CBT theories. I have practice in group therapy and couples work: restoration model, marital/sex therapy.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your services? If so, please share the details here.
How did you get started in this business?
Mostly from doing youth monistry. I loved working at summer camps, working with students in ministry, teaching in the education system, coaching soccer and swimming, leadership development, and nonprofit work. I love seieng people grow. I have a gift for communication and challenging people to be their best selves.
What types of customers have you worked with?
- Teen issues: Social Problems, ADHD, Bullying, Parent/Child Relationship, Defiance, Depression
- Anxiety: Trauma, PTSD, Loss of a Loved One, Grief, Victims of Abuse or Domestic Violence
- Body Image Issues: Low Self Esteem, Disordered Eating, Self Harm issues, Addiction
- Couples Work: Premarital Counseling, Marital Therapy, Creating a Successful Divorce
- Family: Blended Familes, Families in Transition, Immigrant Families (Hablo Espanol)
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I just got married in May! It was such a joyful day of commitment and character and celebration. It was also a day to be loved and supported by our community!
What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a pro in your area of expertise?
Meet them in person and make sure you feel safe and comfortable and someone you respect and feel you can grow from being in a client/therpist relationship with them.
What questions should customers think through before talking to pros about their needs?
What issues do you work with? And is my issue within your area of expertise or scope of practice?
Can I afford your prices?