Individual Therapy for

People Curious About Their Lives

i

My Background

View from above of a row of books inside a white box, with the top of the books and their edges visible.

My path into this work has been shaped by a decade of experience as a therapist and a deep commitment to meeting people where they are. Throughout my career, I’ve worked with people navigating many different relationships to substances—some who are just beginning to feel curious about their use, others in long-term recovery, and those supporting loved ones through addiction. What I’ve learned is that every relationship with substances is unique, and recovery or change looks different for everyone.

My therapeutic foundation is in Percent Centered Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), of which I am intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) through Behavior Tech. I bring an integrative approach to sessions, drawing from multiple modalities to meet the needs of each client. Much of my work has been alongside people experiencing high emotional distress, and I value creating a space that is collaborative, non-judgmental, and tailored to your goals.

In addition to my focus on substance use and addiction care, I enjoy working with people in times of transition—whether that’s a career shift, a change in family life, divorce, or other major life events. I see therapy as a place to reflect, engage mindfully, and connect with what matters most to you.

I am licensed in California and North Carolina and welcome clients of all backgrounds. I particularly enjoy working with LGBTQI+ clients, and for those who have a spiritual or religious practice, I invite you to bring that into the therapy space as part of your healing process.

Why I love this work?

I love being a therapist because it gives me the chance to walk alongside people as they navigate life’s challenges and celebrate their growth. My Master of Social Work gave me the tools for strong clinical practice, and my Master of Divinity studies in bioethics, race, and gender helped me understand how larger cultural forces shape our lives and relationships. I spent years getting advanced training in DBT and ACT therapy because I saw how it helped put clients in the driver’s seat of their therapy. Yet, I still saw how systems still work against people. So I went back for a PhD. During my PhD work, I focused on care ethics, harm reduction, and the ways structural factors affect people’s health and well-being. All of this comes together in the therapy room, where I strive to create a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where clients feel understood and supported in making the changes that matter most to them.

And what about outside of work?

Outside of my work, I love spending time in ways that keep me grounded and joyful. You can often find me outdoors—whether it’s hiking, walking by the ocean, or simply enjoying some fresh air with a book in hand. I also enjoy cooking, writing, and connecting with friends and loved ones. One of my greatest sources of joy is my dog, who is both my adventure buddy and daily reminder to slow down and appreciate the little things. These parts of my life bring balance and help me show up more fully for my clients.

A woman smiling and holding a happy dog on a sandy beach with cliffs in the background.

My Specalities:

  • Life changes

  • Chronic Illness

  • Caregiver stress and grief

  • Relationship Transitions/Divorce

  • Self-esteem

  • Relationship to career

  • Emotional regulation

  • Women’s issues

  • Gender Identity

  • Grief and Loss

  • Burnout

  • Boundaries

Training & Credentials

Education:

  • PhD (Social Work, 2025) - Bryn Mawr College

  • MSW (2015)- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  • M.Div(Religion and Bioethics, 2014) - Duke University

Licenses:

  • California License: 126708

  • NC License: C012325

Insurance:

  • Aetna plans in both California and North Carolina

  • I offer superbills for all clients paying out-of-pocket

Research:

Google Scholar Page

Foundational Post-Graduate Training:

  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) - Behavioral Tech Institute

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - Psychwire

  • Motivational Interviewing (MI) - Psychwire

Professional Affiliations:

  • Association in Multidisciplinary Education and Research in Substance Use and Addiction (AMERSA)

  • American Public Health Association (APHA)

  • National Coalition to Liberate Methadone (NCLM)

  • National Association of Social Workers (NASW), CA Chapter