Pronouns: she/her

Work schedule: Sun - Th

Therapist in Sacramento, CA

My approach to counseling for adults

You’re thoughtful, caring, and always try to help others, but you struggle to show yourself the same care. You’re able to anticipate others’ needs, but you have trouble recognizing your own. Maybe you think of yourself as a “people pleaser,” or perhaps you’ve learned that the most important thing is to be available to others and put your own needs on the backburner. You feel depleted, overwhelmed, and sometimes taken-for-granted. I totally get it. It’s exhausting being there for everybody but yourself. But did you know that caring for ourselves is one of the best things we can do for others? Yep! It’s not selfish — far from it!

I’ve realized that one of the best ways to show my clients it’s ok for them to be their human selves is by me showing up as human as well. I offer validation from a place of genuine understanding and empathy for how it feels to live this human life.

Being human can be both wonderful and extremely challenging at times, and I try to bring that awareness into my work with clients, helping them to recognize and appreciate their own needs, boundaries, and humanity. I use an integrated therapeutic approach combining Rogerian, cognitive behavioral (CBT), internal family systems (IFS), and compassion-focused therapy. I also explore how systemic oppression, culture, familial values and expectations shape our experiences and personal beliefs about ourselves and the world. 

If you’re an over-thinker, an introvert looking for acceptance and coping tools, you’re navigating childhood trauma or boundaries and communication with your family, or you struggle with shame and self-criticism, and you’re ready to start prioritizing yourself the way you’ve prioritized others, I’d love to support you! 

my specialties include young adults, low self-esteem, and trauma therapy:

• Adults in their 20’s and 30’s (i.e. young adult counseling)

• People who struggle with boundaries, perfectionism and practicing self-acceptance & self-care

• Individuals experiencing low self-esteem, feeling like they’re “never enough”, or not confident

• Trauma therapy for individuals who have experienced CEN (Childhood Emotional Neglect), complex trauma (CPTSD), complex family relationships, painful life events (even if you’re not sure it qualifies as a trauma)

• Therapy for anxiety (generalized, acute, social anxiety, worry, rumination)

• Friend and sibling pairs who want to work on their relationship

some of my therapy approaches:

• Person-centered, relational, and humanistic therapies

• Feminist therapy

• Trauma therapy

EDUCATION/Previous counseling experience

I received my master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from John F. Kennedy University and worked for two-and-a-half years counseling children and their families in Citrus Heights before starting at Thrive in 2020.

WORK IN EDUCATION

I enjoyed six years working in the public school system as an instructional aide for teens with special needs. During my time in special education, I enjoyed coming up with creative ways to connect with students and help them learn. I also enjoyed assisting students to express themselves creatively through art.

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Sacramento.

I am a LMFT #129032, Program Manager, and a Supervisor at Thrive.

More about me

When I’m not working, I love watching movies at home or at Tower Theatre, walking, bird watching, exploring Sacramento, or relaxing with my family (kitty, gecko, and human loved ones). I also love journaling, painting, podcasts, and getting comfort and inspiration from reading Maria Popova’s blogs on The Marginalian. I believe laughter is a powerful connector and healer so I try to laugh as much as I can.

Pronouns: she/her