About me

My desire to become a therapist sprung from a deep curiosity in human behavior and an extensive search to heal from my own trauma history. I didn’t have an easy childhood, and as is often the case, it left me unprepared for the struggles that come with adulthood. I experienced more trauma, and felt lost, without clear direction, seeking for the answers outside of myself. Soon I realized they must come from within, I read many excellent books, yet still struggled to embody what I intellectually understood. It didn’t help that we knew much less about trauma when I began my healing journey.

 

I didn’t know then what I know now, that unintegrated trauma affects our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, bringing our bodies survival strategies onboard at times when we don’t need them. Trauma disconnects us from the subtle and everchanging sensations of our body, sensations that coincide with our emotions, in an attempt to keep us safe. That disconnection keeps us unaware of what we’re truly feeling and needing. 

 

I’m talking about a range of feelings here, not just the obvious big and loud emotions that often mask a deeper and sometimes more painful feeling beneath. Without knowing what’s at the core of our feelings, its hard to make healthy boundaries or formulate requests that support us in getting our needs met, and maintaining healthy relationships.

 

So, after years spent studying and working in the arts while struggling to heal, I switched careers and began studying psychology in grad school and professional trainings. Once I emersed myself into the work of healing I was able to combine several modalities that freed me of my trauma symptoms. 

 

Humans are resilient, it shouldn’t have to take so long to become symptom free, which is why I prioritize offering therapy that gets results. I’m truly honored to work with the individuals I do and continually amazed with the results I see. 

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I received a BA in Fine Art from the San Francisco Art Institute, and an MA in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Somatic Psychotherapy from the California Institute of Integral Studies in 2014. While at CIIS I trained at the Center for Somatic Psychotherapy from 2013, 2014. After graduating I interned in private practice through Grateful Heart Holistic Therapy Center until licensure in 2017.

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• EMDR certified in 2018

• Psycho-Physical Therapy Couples Training, certified in 2015

• Psycho-Physical Therapy Professional Training Somatic Psychotherapy, certified in 2014

• Psycho Physical Therapy's Somatic Resourcing, certified in 2012 - 2013

• Further trainings include Somatic Experiencing, Trauma Solutions, Understanding and Treating Disorganized Attachment and Dissociation, Mindsight, Mindful Self-Compassion, Body-Mind Centering, EFT, Emotion Code, Energy Psychology, Focusing, and Internal Family Systems.

• member CAMFT 

• member SFCAMFT

• member USABP

• Certified Massage Therapist, Reiki Practitioner 2007