Bio

I developed my way of working by counseling a wide variety of clients in different settings. During my training I worked with individuals, couples, families, young children and teenagers. My clients were from many cultures and ethnicities. Some wanted to be in therapy; others were coerced by family members or forced by the legal system. Some were in search of personal growth; others were in crisis. The richness of this experience helped me to understand that every client comes to therapy with different needs and led me to develop an eclectic approach where I draw on a variety of different theoretical models.

I received my BA from the University of Pennsylvania where I majored in English Literature and Film Studies and minored in Psychology. After working extensively in the entertainment industry I went through a life transition and decided to pursue my lifelong interest in Psychology. I returned to graduate school and earned an MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles. While in school I created a therapeutic drama program and led psycho-educational groups for at-risk adolescents at Southern California Drug and Alcohol Programs, Inc. As a volunteer with the SAG BookPals program, I read to elementary students and helped them to discuss their reactions to the stories we shared.

I subsequently trained at the Southern California Counseling Center for five years. During that time, in addition to seeing clients, I completed the Center’s two-year family therapy training program, gang awareness training and group facilitation training. I finished my internship hours in a private practice setting under the supervision of Dr. David Eidenberg. After earning my Marriage and Family Therapy license I worked as a clinician and supervisor for two and a half years at Vista School, a division of Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services in Culver City. My clients there were severely emotionally disturbed children and adolescents and their families. I volunteered as a supervisor at the Southern California Counseling Center for three years and in June of 2008 I joined the staff as the Assistant Clinical Director. My duties at SCCC include clinical supervision, coordinating training programs, teaching, leading therapy groups, matching clients with counselors, and interfacing with the Center's legal counsel. I now balance my professional time between my private therapy practice and my work at SCCC.

I am strongly committed to continuing my education and growth as a clinician. I recently achieved the Approved Supervisor designation from the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. I am also pursuing advanced training opportunities in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) and Mindful Awareness techniques. Both of these methodologies have been validated by extensive research in recent years and represent exciting and important advancements in the field of therapy. In the fall of 2007 I spent a week in Ottawa, Canada training with Sue Johnson, one of the originators of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy. In the fall of 2008 I followed up with an Advanced Externship in EFT at Alliant International University, Los Angeles.