Areas of Expertise
I have 13 years of experience providing individual and family therapy to infants, children, and adolescents in various settings such as home, school and outpatient clinics. I am also experienced in adult mental health within the contexts of individual and couples counseling. I specialize in the following areas:
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Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health
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Child/Family/Couples Counseling
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Parenting & Development Issues
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Academic Challenges (IEPs/SSTs, 504)
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Trauma Informed Care & Adverse Childhood Experience (ACEs)
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ADHD, PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, Grief & Loss
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Sexual Abuse
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Reflective Practice/Reflective Supervision
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Bilingual Services - English/Spanish (Servicios en espanol)
I have received the following certifications:
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Parents as Teachers (PAT) Model Certification - 2020
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UC Davis Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Trainer-of-Trainers Certification - 2019
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Parent-Child Care (PC-CARE) Phase 1 Training: Skill Building Workshop - 2019
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New World of Work 21st Century Skills Curriculum and Instruction Certified - 2019
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Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) Training & Coaching Certification - CA Resource & Referral Network - 2018
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Managing and Adapting Practice: MAP Therapist - 2015
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Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) - 2014
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Triple P - Positive Parenting Program, Level 5 Enhanced and Pathways - 2011
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Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT) - 2011
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Triple P - Positive Parenting Program - Standard Child and Teen - 2010
My Approach
Through my work as a therapist I have learned that as an individual we own our own stories. Regardless whether these stories are tragic or pleasant, we hold the power to rewrite our personal narratives. Author and College Professor, Brene Brown tells us that, "when we deny our stories, they define us. When we own our stories, we get to rewrite the ending." This is a powerful reminder that we hold the key to our own resilience and that we are NOT defined by our past experiences. This is the lens through which I approach the therapeutic process with clients.
As a clinician, I am simply an active facilitator in guiding your process as deep as you desire. The premise of owning your story and rewriting the ending remains the same whether I am engaged with a child, adolescent or adult in a myriad of relational constellations.
My approach when working therapeutically with children is like the story of "Harold and the Purple Crayon" by Crockett Johnson. Harold, starts off with a walk in the moonlight, but there is no moon, so Harold draws one. He then sets off on a walk but has no path, so he draws one. In essence, Harold's world is a blank page until he takes that crayon and draws his own reality. Harold, like many children, are also on a quest of self-exploration but with a caveat...the need for supportive, loving, and predictable relationships to guide their discovery. Therefore, in therapy, as appropriate, I include the child's caregiver(s), family, and consider parenting dynamics to address the problems and achieve healing.
Contact me if you are ready to own your story and rewrite the ending!