About me
Based in Oakland, CA
Professionally, I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and trauma-informed therapist with a big heart, joy for living, and a passion for working with folk from all over the world ready to explore their inner worlds.
I have a special love and commitment for working with immigrants and refugees, BIPOC/People of the Global Majority, queer folk and people who identify as transgender and gender expansive.
However, anyone ready and motivated to start therapy is welcome!
With over 15 years of experience as social worker and therapist in a variety of settings, I take great joy working with people and love supporting and witnessing client’s grow, change, and break generational cycles of pain and start living their lives with more tools for thriving and less reactivity to their triggers and traumas.
THIS IS MIMI, MY ASSISTANT.
She joins us for in-person sessions.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
I hold a Masters of Social Work from the University of Michigan (2012) and a Bachelors of Social Work and Bachelors of Arts in Spanish from Pacific Union College (2009).
At the University of Michigan I had a special interest and love for global social work and continue to utilize my training to enter into session, schools, and companies with an intersectional, anti-oppressive, and multi-cultural lens.
As a social worker, I’ve spent over 10 years working in non-profits and community mental health in different roles from working in outpatient mental health clinics and leading work in disaster recovery, to developing and running trauma-informed programming for schools and non-profits. Teaching at the college level is also a passion and have spent over 5 years working as a professor of social work.
Clinical training, specialities and approaches
Trained in a more psychodynamic and relational style, as your therapist, I am listening both to your words and stories but also tracking what may be coming up in session that isn’t always accessible to you due to the familiar patterns in our psyche, personality, and/or behavior. Together we explore their roots and how it impacts your life today. As a person in the room with you, you’ll notice I ask a lot of questions, share thoughts and stories if it is helpful towards your healing, and lead with gentle, kind, and compassionate care.
That doesn’t mean I can’t be direct and/or challenge though! If we are building trust and a genuine relationship there will be moments when we’ll have to look at things that are hard to look at, including parts of ourselves that we often ostracize, avoid, or cast away. Taking our time, moving with care, and noticing how your body and mind respond will be our guide.
Get started
Let’s schedule a 15-20 minute consultation call. This is where you can share a little about why you’re seeking therapy, we’ll talk through any questions, and decide if we’re a good fit to work together.