Hi there! Let me put a face to the name.

This is me!

Now, let me tell you a little bit about me so that you get a feel for how being in therapy with me should be like.

I am bilingual (Spanish and English), of Spanish-French-Jewish ancestry BUT born and raised in Mexico (I know, I am a proud mutt). My family used to come and go from Mexico to the US until finally relocating in my teen years. Why am I sharing this? Because this background enriched my life and opened my mind to the cultural differences that exists and how that effects our values and belief systems. I am a natural culture conscious individual! I know first hand how frurstrating it can be to not be allowed to be the tellers of our own stories.

My experience as a therapist includes working with different populations: a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, from children as young as 4 years to adults in their senior years; from individual therapy, to couples, to families, to groups. Additionally, to obtain practice and insight of what it represents to overcome issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance use (not a counselor though, I only do the aspect of how trauma contributes to use and relapse), to mention some. I have worked with people effected by domestic violence. I have also worked with the LGBT community.

Some of the lessons that contributed to my professional growth and style include: Amazing mentors that taught me the importance of authenticity, compassion and staying present as the most important elements in a therapeutic relationship, opportunities to explore and practice different modalities such as play therapy, expressive arts, sandtray, CBT, DBT, mindfulness, EMDR, ego stages, IFT. I have also explored Carl Jung and holistic tools such as Yoga, Breathwork, Meditation, Chakras and Reiki. Why? Because it’s not only the mind that suffers, sometimes spirituality plays a part and sometimes the healing to our wounds is easier to access from an energy and vibrations perspective.

I have worked in a private setting, I have had the priviledge of working for therapy offices focused on the underpriviledge, in contracts with the county to serve those court ordered to therapy because of issues of violence, Child Protective Services interventions and school recommendations for therapy. I have also worked for a different non-profit in contract to service those in welfare who requested mental health services. Lastly, I have spent my last years working with the LGBT community in San Diego County.

My passion is trauma, the complex intertwinings of the mind, which then connect to brain chemistry, to the nervous systems, to all of our other systems (adrenal, hormonal) and so forth. It sounds complex and it is but guess what? I have done all the work of learning so that now I can share it with you in small digestable pieces! How about that?!

I am the type of person who has a passion for learning. In my younger years I was an Entrepeneur and owned a business as an Independent Paralegal, then a Real Estate Broker (never practiced, I suck at selling stuff to people, I’m too ethical) and I decided to become a therapist because underneath it all, I discover I love improving the quality of life of my clients. I love helping them problem solve and I am good at it. In short, my true calling is helping others heal, find their happy.

What is my ideal client? Someone who is determine to changing his/her life for the best. This are some of my basic philosophies for therapy:

1. You get from therapy what you put into it. It’s your dedication, your commitent, your willingness to face the painful and nasty what will make it all happen above all. I am just there to guide you and support you. My ideal client is someone proactive and engaged in their own healing.

2. Do you prefer to hear what you WANT to hear? Or what you NEED to hear? They are both healing places (e.g. grief versus growth). I see more progress when my clients are ready to hear what they need to hear because that is when they are ready for action. Things get better when one starts doing. Talking has its place but it can become similar as to what it would feel looking at a void. You will have me constantly nudging you to transition into action, even if it’s in little shifts at a time. I want to see you succeed

3. You are the expert. Most people’s anxiety and depression started because they have lost their sense of self, their identity, their confidence. I will guide you to finding your way, but it is still YOUR way

Lastly, my hobbies: I am a creative person. I started writing fiction and poetry at age 8. I started writing songs at 10. My dream career? Filmmaking!!! My ability to write (as you can see here) will make it increadibly easy for you to find the healing words you’ve been needing to hear. After all, isn’t TALK therapy what we will be doing?