Get to know me:

I am a licensed psychologist in Marin County, CA. I received my masters degree in Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles and my doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from Ryokan in Venice, CA. In 2014, I earned the Certificate in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy from the Los Angeles Institute and Society for Psychoanalytic Studies (LAISPS). I have served on many boards and committees, and currently serve the Marin Psychological Association and offer promotional support to the TRANSLIFE conference committee in Sonoma County.

 

What does affirmative psychotherapy mean to me?

In my practice, I believe in working with and honoring the whole person. Establishing a safe space to deeply explore and affirm a person’s core identity and expression, which for some can feel like a continually evolving process. I believe the key is working with a person’s level of comfort and pace to achieve a true sense of harmony within oneself and their world. I also believe in the importance of advancing my level of cultural competence through continuing education. I strive to continually be aware of my own blind spots.

 

What populations do I work with? What is my level of expertise (friendly, knowledgeable, expert) for each of those populations?

I work with LGBTQIA+ and cisgender individual adults, couples, teens, and groups. I believe my level of expertise is part of a continuous learning process, and would say I fall somewhere in between knowledgeable and expert. A primary focus of my practice is working psychoanalytically with transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people, and I assist individuals in processing their gender journey with their intimate partners and family members. I also provide consultation to clinicians serving TGD clients.

 

What issues am I most skilled at addressing as a mental health professional?

My practice is based in relational psychoanalytic psychotherapy. I believe our difficulties emerge as a result of our complex relational history with significant people in our development. It is a more collaborative process as compared to the more hierarchical structure between doctor and patient found in traditional treatment. In relational psychoanalytic therapy, we explore and illuminate the parts of a client’s history that are inhibiting or impairing their current functioning. In other words, we uncover how the past is currently affecting a client’s present.

 

EDUCATION & LICENSES

Education: Doctorate in Clinical Psychology


Years in Practice: 10


School: Ryokan College (PsyD) and The Chicago School for Professional Psychology (MA)


Year Graduated: 2012 (MA), 2015 (PsyD) 


License # and State: PSY28354 California

 

OFFICE INFORMATION

405 Enfrente Road, Suite 220  Novato CA 94949-7201

Accessibility: No (One flight of stairs, no elevator)


Gender Neutral Restrooms: Yes

 

FINANCES

Fee Range: $250 for 50-minute sessions; limited number of reduced fee slots.

Accepted Payment Methods: Zelle, Venmo, Check.


Accepted Insurance Plans: Medicare.

Superbills provided for out of network reimbursement.