My Background

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and received a Masters in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Expressive Arts Therapy from the California Institute of Integral Studies in 2010. Since 2009, I have practiced psychotherapy with adults, children, adolescents and families in various outpatient clinics, schools, community mental health and private practice settings. From extensive training in areas of childhood development and trauma, I have gained much experience in supporting individuals, couples and parents/caregivers, in particular, those with a childhood trauma history, in recognizing how their unresolved trauma might be impacting their relationships.

I am currently a Candidate in the Adult Psychoanalytic Training program at the SF Center for Psychoanalysis and have a certificate in the two-year Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy program from SFCP. I have served as Adjunct Faculty and Clinical Supervisor at the California Institute of Integral Studies and Clinical Supervisor and Staff Therapist at St. Mary’s College. I am currently involved in bridging psychoanalytic therapy with historically underrepresented communities and bringing more diverse voices to the field.

The majority of people I have served in my practice self-identify as people of color, 1st or 2nd generation Americans, and bilingual/multi-lingual from immigrant family backgrounds. I have extensive experience with LGBTQIA+ communities, particularly in supporting trans and non-binary youth, people on the asexual spectrum, and supporting non-traditional family building. I am adept at working with people who do not share the same background as I – working across differences within the therapeutic relationship can be a creative and enlivening process.

Education/Training

M.A., Counseling Psychology, Emphasis in Expressive Arts Therapy, California Institute of Integral Studies, 2010.

Certificate in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis, 2023.

Candidate in Psychoanalysis, SF Center for Psychoanalysis – anticipated graduation 2028.

Group Therapy Training Program, The Psychotherapy Institute, 2024.

B.A., Gender and Women’s Studies, UC Berkeley, 2004.

Community Mental Health Experience

Richmond Area Multi-Services (RAMS), Ann Martin Center, Adolescent Counseling Services, Pacific Center for Human Growth, Girls, Inc., Community Violence Solutions, Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse, Streetside Stories, Boys and Girls Clubs of SF

Professional Memberships: Psychoanalytic Institute of Northern California (PINC), SF Center for Psychoanalysis (SFCP), The Psychotherapy Institute, American Group Psychotherapy Association, and International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA).