“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing there is a field. I will meet you there.” -Rumi
About Me
I genuinely believe in the resilience of the human spirit.
Through many of my life experiences, I recognized my natural ability to empathize with and have compassion for people. I feel that through authentic human presence, we can make experiences feel meaningful, inspire people to take action, and help others feel less alone in their suffering.
I believe that we as humans can turn pain into power (I have experienced this myself)! I believe that we are inherently resilient and that going through difficult times helps us grow as we overcome obstacles, and ultimately heal. I also know that this can be hard work to do on your own! We often need help and guidance getting through the complex process of healing. Over the course of the past 19 years on my journey as a therapist, I’ve been so fortunate to watch this healing process occur in my clients.
My decision to specialize in perinatal mental health came very naturally to me after having a baby myself and realizing how important it is to have non-judgmental supporters in your corner throughout the maternal mental health lifespan.
I was born and raised in Berkeley, CA and although I’ve lived in many other places, both internationally and in the US, the Bay Area is my home and my roots here run deep. I love supporting my community and it feels like an honor to share space with people as they work towards finding more wellness and joy in their lives.
My Therapy Approach
I believe that when you feel seen, understood, and safe, healing happens.
There are not many places where we can come to be, to breathe, and experience unconditional acceptance. Therapy is a place where you can show up as yourself, keep it real, cry, laugh, and everything in between without feeling judged. It also provides an experience of safety, calm, openness, and engagement.
I aim to provide a safe and supportive environment where you can process feelings, learn about yourself, and take control of your life. You’ll receive compassionate guidance, insight, and perspective. You’ll learn to harness your unique abilities, strengthen your relationships, and improve your life.
I am an integrationist, which means my training in a variety of different psychotherapy approaches allows me to adapt my approach to best suit the unique needs of each individual.
As much as I draw from various approaches, I’m aware that many of these interventions weren’t developed with things like culture and race in mind. I aim to have a practice that views mental health and wellness through a social justice lens that is attentive to issues of race, culture, gender identity and spirituality. I feel that it is my ethical duty as a therapist to commit to working hard on my personal and professional growth, especially when it comes to things like acknowledging unconscious white privilege (along with other privileges I hold) and to continue my understanding of how systemic racism and other “isms” have affected the lives of my clients.
More than any theoretical framework or approach, I believe that a positive connection between therapist and client is the greatest and most important indicator of a client feeling that therapy is helpful, meaningful, and successful. I believe the safer, more listened to, and more comfortable someone feels, the more they will feel safe to do this hard work.
Training & Experience
Masters Degree in Social Work (Columbia University)
LCSW (California Board of Behavioral Sciences, License number 26374)
Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C)
Post-Graduate Certification from the Postpartum Stress Center
Professional Memberships: National Association of Social Workers; Postpartum Support International; National Latinx Psychological Association
Clinical Experience:
Therapist-intern at Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers, Inc.
Therapist-intern at Safe Horizon's Solace Program for Survivors of Torture and Refugee Trauma in Jackson Heights, Queens, NY.
Therapist at the Puerto Rican Family Institute’s Adolescent Day Treatment Program in New York City, NY.
Therapist at The Trauma Recovery Center/Survivors International in San Francisco.
Therapist and Program Lead for The Perinatal Wellness Program at the Kaiser Permanente Department of Psychiatry in Richmond.
Therapeutic Orientations: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Cognitive Processing Therapy; Dialectical Behavior Therapy; EMDR; Narrative Therapy; Motivational Interviewing; Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
Postpartum Support International Trainings: Maternal Mental Health Certificate; Advanced Perinatal Mental Health Psychotherapy Training; Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders: Components of Care
Selected Presentations and Trainings:
The Birth of a Collaborative Perinatal Program Within Psychiatry and OB/GYN. Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Psychiatry Grand Rounds.
Perinatal Mood Disorders: Considerations for Assessment and Treatment. Didactic for post-graduate trainees.
Considerations for Interviewing Traumatized Witnesses. Center for Justice and Accountability.
Vicarious Trauma, Post-Traumatic Growth, and Self-Care Practices. San Francisco Asylum Office/USCIS.
Increasing Identification and Linkage for Survivors of Torture and Other Trauma. Training for the Behavioral Health Team, San Francisco General Hospital.
Assessment and Treatment of Survivors of Torture. Training for the Behavioral Health Team, San Francisco General Hospital.
Working with Trauma: UCSF Trauma Recovery Center Treatment Model and Preventing Vicarious Trauma. Presentation for Youth Radio clinicians and interns.