About My Approach
I believe that all people have an innate drive towards wholeness and health.
Sometimes things happen in children’s lives that cause them to use coping mechanisms that may work for a time, but eventually can take them off of their natural and healthy developmental trajectory. When it becomes clear that these coping strategies are no longer working, and are getting the way of their healthy and happy experience and participation in life, this is when psychotherapy can prove to be a wise intervention.
In addition to my private practice, I have over a decade of experience working as a school counselor. My role as counselor allows me to know and understand the inner workings of schools. Being in this position has shown me just how important collaboration and communication between the systems in a child’s life are. In addition to communication with the child’s family and caregivers, it is also important for the therapist to communicate with the child’s school personnel, doctor(s), and other important helping professionals in the child's life.
Why Work With Me
Holistic Approach
By combining interventions from several modalities with activities such as drawing, writing, and working with artistic mediums, I can better meet treatment goals.
Authentic Relationships
My first priority is placed on establishing an authentic relationship with my client. Building genuine connections fosters trust and safety, allowing clients to feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings.
Multicultural Understanding
Children are a part of larger systems such as their families, culture and schools. I also use a family systems approach in order to best understand the presenting problem and to design a treatment plan.
Sense of Self
I prioritize The goal of therapy is to strengthen clients' sense of self so that their innate and natural inclination for healthy development is back on track.
My Background
Many of the interventions I use are experiential in nature and draw from the work of Dr. Violet Oaklander, which is Gestalt in orientation. I have been trained by Dr. Oaklander and her colleagues at The Violet Solomon Oaklander Foundation for many years.
Research has shown that mindfulness practices are powerful tools that enhance one’s sense of well-being. As part of my work as an elementary school counselor, I receive ongoing training from Kelly Barron, Certified Mindfulness Facilitator, UCLA. In addition, I have completed Susan Kaiser Greenland’s Inner Kids Facilitator 1 training. I use mindfulness frequently in my work with children, adolescents and families. I find that children take naturally to mindfulness concepts and use them readily for self-regulation while enjoying and having fun with the activities.
Education and Licenses:
California Licensed Marriage, Family and Child Therapist
California Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Pepperdine University, Master of Arts, Marriage, Family and Child Counseling
University of Southern California, Bachelors of Arts, Psychology
Additional Training and Certification:
Susan Kaiser Greenland's Innerkids Mindfulness Facilitator 1
