My Journey as a Therapist

When I was growing up, my parents emphasized the importance of education, social action and community service. My family members were educators, mental health professionals and prominent members of the non-profit sector, and I knew from a young age how important it was to give back.  Despite these early lessons in empathy and a lifelong commitment to volunteer work, I may not have found my way to the field of psychology if it weren’t for an “a-ha!” moment.

My career began in the entertainment field. I was in musical theater and a vocalist in nightclubs and coffeehouses around the Midwest. I had a manager, a pianist and dreams of New York City, but I chose to return to the San Francisco area instead. Though I now know we are all on our own unique paths, guided by our past experiences and current circumstances, at the time, I felt like I had gotten turned around somehow, and I no longer knew which direction I wanted to move. Until, one evening, I had my “a-ha!” moment, sitting in a movie theater watching Ordinary People.

I was enthralled as I watched this amazing therapist help a troubled adolescent and his family recover from trauma. I saw how his passion, commitment and empathic understanding brought these individuals back from tragedy and hopelessness to find healing and growth. Suddenly, I recognized that it was my own passion to connect with and care for others that had led me to my years of volunteer work. As an entertainer, I had been sharing a piece of who I was in the hopes I could reach the people listening. As a psychologist, however, I could give people the safe space they need to share their own journey. As we walked out of the theater, I remember turning to my date and saying, “That’s what I want to do! I want to work with teens and trauma.” Quite unexpectedly, my path had become clear.

Within the year, I had begun my Masters in Integral Counseling Psychology and eight years later I had my Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology. Transitions are challenging, but I had the support of my family and the passion and fearlessness that I had developed as an entertainer. During my training, I worked in community clinics, residential treatment facilities for pre and post-lockdown at-risk youth in California, runaway shelters for children and Contra Costa children’s mental health services. The time I spent helping these individuals showed me how the mental health system works in California and continues to inform how I approach psychotherapy and trainings.

When I opened my office in Lafayette, I was focused on supporting individuals and teens dealing with trauma, grief and loss, abandonment, self-injury and a history of abuse. I wanted to give my clients a safe space and a patient, compassionate ally so they could share their experiences and truly feel heard. By staying calm and emotionally present, I could help them learn to recognize and respond to feelings of anger, sadness, fears or self-doubt. Many clients have told me that I have a capacity to “hold” their scary or distressing emotions peacefully and without judgment. Rather than telling them how to solve their problems, I offer a safe space where they can “deposit” difficult thoughts and feelings and work through them in their own time.

My Background as a Trainer

In my extensive experience as a licensed psychologist in the state of California, I have seen just how difficult it can be for individuals to recognize and respond to trauma-informed issues, such as abandonment and self-injury. I am passionate about the populations I work with, and I want to share my knowledge and experience with other parents and professionals. So, for the past 25 years, I have been developing and facilitating trauma-informed training classes for continuing education and certification.

I help participants walk away with a deeper knowledge of the impact of original wounds, practical tools and techniques they can use to better recognize and manage trauma-related issues. Rather than lecturing or teaching partial solutions, I keep training participants engaged and invested, encouraging them to participate in discussions, activities and “best practices.” Many of my students have told me that I am able to make technical or complex concepts understandable without oversimplifying the idea or leaving things out. 
The events, relationships and emotions we experience in our lives weave together to shape who we are and how we engage with the world. After more than 25 years as a therapist, I still haven’t heard two life stories or paths that were the same. Everyone’s tapestry is unique, challenging and interesting, and I am honored every time a client chooses to let me share in his or her journey for a time.