My approach to helping patients improve their quality of life began during my undergraduate work at the University of California, Irvine. My B.A. is in Social Ecology, an interdisciplinary approach that views the individual as a blend of biological, emotional, and social influences.
I received my doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of Utah. After completing internships at the Primary Children’s Medical Center in SLC, UT and the Psychiatric Clinic for Youth in Long Beach, CA, I gained the expertise needed to develop a specialty in working with children and their families.
While at Children’s Hospital of Orange County I was able to hone my abilities as a Pediatric Psychologist working with chronically and terminally ill children and their families. After those particularly challenging years, I decided to broaden my practice to incorporate a balance of adults and children, individuals and couples, and an array of psychological issues.
I also served as an Oral Examiner for the psychologist’s licensing exam with the California Board of Psychology, a Peer Reviewer for mental health services provided to California military personnel and families, and the Director of the Intake Department at a California psychiatric hospital.
ServicesIndividual Therapy with Adults, Teens and Children
Couples Therapy
Family Therapy with Teens and Children
Areas of ExpertiseAnxiety
Relationships Difficulties
Depression
Parenting and family issues
Stress related illnesses (migraines, muscle tension, aches and pains)
Transitions in life (going to college, marriage, ending a job, new baby)
Painful life event (accident, illness, divorce, death, job loss)
Unhealthy habits (over eating, gambling, smoking, substance abuse)
Health issues (life threatening diagnoses, chronic illness)
Old wounds (patterns formed early in life, unresolved anger or grief)