ABOUT
My Background
I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCS 73772) with a background in community mental health. I engage with my clients in a patient, reflective, and playful way. As a result of many years of working in the field of infant and early childhood mental health, I maintain a respectful sensitivity to the uniqueness of each person’s developmental path and am well attuned to the influence of early attachment experiences. I have also been a school-based psychotherapist (K-12) and medical social worker in acute adult healthcare settings. I am an enthusiastic lifelong learner. In addition to my clinical practice, I enjoy teaching and supervising new clinicians and have taught at UC Berkeley and the California Institute for Integral Studies.
Education and Training:
BA, Sociology and Asian/Pacific Islander American Studies, University of Michigan
MSW, Concentration in Direct Practice with Children and Families, UC Berkeley
Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Program, San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis
Child Parent Psychotherapy, UCSF Child Trauma Research Program
Supervision Study Program (intensive study in psychodynamic relational supervision), The Psychotherapy Institute
Practice In Transformative Action Program (mindfulness practice and instruction from a social justice lens), East Bay Meditation Center
In general, my approach to therapy is:
Culturally Responsive: Therapy is a wonderful opportunity to know yourself more fully and with greater self-compassion. However, the ability to take brave risks in the service of self-exploration depends largely upon feeling respected, safe, and understood in the therapeutic relationship. I care about the social and cultural processes that have shaped your experience of the world and how these factors--including dynamics of trauma, racialized trauma, power, and privilege--may emerge between us. I also feel strongly about helping others connect to feelings of joy, strength, and abundance within their cultural experience. BIPOC of all gender expressions, bodies, and backgrounds are very welcome here.
Psychodynamic/Psychoanalytic: A psychoanalytic sensibility is one of deep reflection and paying careful attention to feelings and meanings. Looking closely at past experiences, in the context of an empathic and attuned relationship, can help with coming to a fuller understanding of how you relate to yourself and to others. I believe that taking an interpersonal and introspective approach can help with responding more flexibly to life’s challenges rather than focusing on behavior change alone.
Holistic: My approach to therapy is to align the insights of your mind with the wisdom of your body. In addition to traditional talk therapy approaches, I enjoy supporting adults with developing a mindfulness practice that incorporates trauma-informed grounding exercises, guided imagery, dynamic movement, and is practical for your daily life. There are many pathways toward healing. For those who are interested, I will work with you to identify and cultivate resources that help you sustain your healing journey outside of the therapy room.