MY APPROACH

I am experienced in providing bilingual, culturally-responsive psychotherapy in a variety of settings, including community-based therapy, private practice, counseling centers, and within hospital & medical facilities. My approach is an integrative one, where I believe healing and growth come from supporting our mind, body, and spirit. I use a cultural, trauma-informed lens, that centers social and restorative justice values. I am formally trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Chicana/o/x Affirmative Therapy. I provide therapeutic support to adults in the following areas & topics:

  • Acculturation

  • Anxiety/panic

  • Cultural development

  • Family/intergenerational issues

  • Grief & loss

  • Identity

  • Moral Injury

  • Relationship & interpersonal issues

  • Self-esteem & assertiveness

  • Stress (including Caregiver Stress)

  • Trauma-related issues

CONSULTing & TRAINING SERVICES

Through my experience as a clinical supervisor, and as the founder & developer of several mental health programs and clinics that center culturally and linguistically responsive care, I have come to learn firsthand about the importance of centering social justice in helping to close the equity gap that exists within most systems, especially within organizations that center health and emotional wellbeing. I have led trainings, workshops, and held platicas (speaking engagements) that aim at addressing the disparities that exist for communities of color, and how anti-racist practices, both on a personal and professional level, are essential for any individual, team, organization, or company to be successful. I am especially passionate about centering justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. I am available for consulting and training services for organizations/programs interested in culturally and linguistically responsive mental health program development that centers BIPOC communities.

education & TRAINING

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, License 49953, California Board of Behavioral Sciences

Certificate of Completion in Chicana/o/x Affirmative Therapy Training, Institute of Chicana/o Psychology

Certificate of Completion in Basic EMDR Training (EMDRIA approved)

M.A., Counseling Psychology, Concentration in Integral Counseling Psychology, California Institute of Integral Studies

B.A., Psychology, University of California, Santa Cruz

COVID precautions

All sessions are conducted via telephone or secure video platform (telehealth) at this time. With telehealth, I can support clients who reside anywhere within the state of California.

what to expect

Our first session will give us the opportunity to get to know one another, and for me to learn about what you’d like to accomplish in therapy, answer any questions you may have about therapy, about me, or about my experience. My hope is that we can determine whether we are a good fit to help you meet your therapeutic needs. Once affirmed, we will complete forms and set-up the framework for our therapeutic process.

During follow-up sessions, we will focus on the goals and intentions we have co-created, and there may some deliberate practice between sessions to help you with the areas you want to focus on. Frequency of session and the duration of our therapy together can vary. I can provide brief, focused therapy or more long-term therapy. In our first sessions, we’ll focus on creating a plan that meets your needs.