About Me

Education and Training

I am a licensed clinical psychologist (PSY31769) with a private practice in Orinda, California. I graduated from the Wright Institute with a Psy.D. (doctorate in clinical psychology) in 2018. Through my training, I have provided therapy to clients at multiple locations since 2013, including a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of San Francisco Counseling and Psychological Services, and a Doctoral Internship at Stanford University Counseling and Psychological Services.

Therapy Style

I believe that successful therapy relies on the relationship built between client and therapist. I seek to build a relationship with each client that is based in mutual trust. My style is warm, non-judgmental, collaborative, and humorous. I utilize an integration of evidence-based approaches, including CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy), and DBT (dialectical behavior therapy), combined with a psychodynamic ("talk therapy") relational approach, which allows me to provide tools for coping based on an understanding of your history, needs, and strengths.

Please note: Therapy is not magic (I wish it was), and I don't have a magic wand (although that would be awesome), that means that the odds of being "all better" after just one session are low. Change is a process; therapy is a journey, and some journeys are longer than others. Luckily, the steps to start that process are simple: getting to know each other, setting goals, and figuring out what works for you.

Specialties

Members of the LGBTQ+ community:

As a bisexual cisgender woman, I always enjoy working with members of the LGBTQ+ community, and strive to be an ally for everyone under the LGBTQ+ umbrella, including queer, asexual, trans* and gender nonconforming clients. I have experience working with members of the kink and poly communities as well. I practice in a way that focuses on your strengths and resilience. Both celebrating these various identities and acknowledging the societal and cultural challenges that can follow them.

People in STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) fields:

I was raised in a STEM-focused family, full of scientists and engineers. I also studied in a STEM field, including receiving my BA in Organismal Biology from Scripps College in 2009, and completing multiple research projects throughout college as part of the Bronner lab at the California Institute of Technology. Through these experiences I have come to understand the unique cultures of both academic and industry STEM fields. This led me to write my dissertation on the experiences of cisgender female programmers in the San Francisco Bay Area. Through experience and research, I have become attuned to the ways in which the cultures of STEM and technology companies, can interact with your other identities, and am experienced in helping people to navigate this complex issue.

College students and adults:

Much of my training has been in community clinics (the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Clinic in Berkeley) and in college counseling centers at Mills College, Stanford University, and the University of San Francisco. I have treated a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate students of both traditional and non-traditional ages, as well as working adults. This experience has helped me to build a solid understanding of the unique pressures created by schooling and professional careers.

The Fun Stuff

I am definitely a geek:

I love DnD, playing board games and video games, reading books and comics, watching superhero movies and anime, and more. I always enjoy working with my fellow geeks. Imagination and openness to creative outlets are strengths that can connect us. I believe in the power of art and stories in therapy and in life.

I love to draw and paint:

Hobbies and self care are an important part of keeping us happy and healthy. For me, that is expressing myself through art. I enjoy bringing whatever your hobbies and strength are into therapy. Is it hard to put how you feel into words? We can try drawing, singing, or acting it out, or whatever else suits your personality.

I have a cute dog:

I may or may not be biased... but she tolerated me putting this flower on her head, so that has to count for something, right?