Welcome
Whether you are having trouble conceiving due to infertility, experienced the loss of a pregnancy or infant, or have perinatal depression or anxiety, I can help.
You’ve come to the right place.
These experiences can turn your world upside down. You may no longer recognize yourself. Sadness, anxiety, fear, anger, and grief are some of the many overwhelming emotions that bring my clients in to see me. I know how painful this time can be, and that this is not how you expected the path to motherhood to progress.
What to Expect in Therapy
The decision to start therapy is not always an easy one. Sometimes it feels easier to wish it would all go away on its own or just ignore it. You’ve taken an important first step in looking for help. When clients first contact me, we have a free 15-minute consultation to get to know one another. You may ask me questions, and I will ask some as well to find out what has brought you to therapy and explain how I can help you.
In our first session together, we will discuss why you’re having the symptoms or emotions you do, and we will outline how to help you feel better. I know that many of these things can be very hard to discuss. Please know we will take this at your pace and comfort level. I understand that at this vulnerable time, so much seems out of your control: Our sessions should be a place that feels very much within your control. It is my goal that when you enter my office, either virtually or in-person, you feel you’ve arrived to a safe space where you can let down your guard, be yourself, and express your fears, thoughts, and concerns.
Helping women adjust to and meet the challenges associated with becoming a mother is an area that has always been of profound interest to me. I began my career as a hospital social worker—something I still continue to do today—and in this work, I found myself drawn to working with women who struggled with the path to motherhood. I related to these women deeply. I found my work with these patients very rewarding, and it became the sole focus of my work when I moved into private practice.
My Approach
I use evidence-based techniques in my work with clients. I use cognitive behavioral therapy, which looks at your thoughts and how they impact your behaviors. I also use mindfulness, and will work with you to build coping tools, offer resources, and strengthen your support system. In addition, I am trained in EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), which can be used to address distressing or traumatic events that have occurred in your life and continue to impact how you feel and respond to future events.
My Therapy Style
My style is warm, reassuring, and collaborative. I consider myself your partner in helping you to rediscover the power and resilience you have inside. So many of the women I see in my practice have arrived at this point in their lives through grit and determination. I want to help you access this part of yourself again. Together we will draw on those strengths, highlight them, and bring them forth to help you through this challenging situation. This can be a particularly vulnerable time in a woman’s life, and it’s my honor to support you through this process.
Training and Education
Licensure and Certification
Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California #20760
Certified in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C)
Education
Masters in Social Work~University of California, Los Angeles
Bachelor of Science~University of California, Davis
Trainings
EMDR training by The Touchstone Institute
Completion of Postpartum Support International’s Advanced Psychotherapy Training
Completion of American Society of Reproductive Medicine Training for Mental Health Professionals
