Santa Monica Psychologist for Adolescents and Adults
Clinical Experience
During my time as a therapist, I have had the honor to 
work with a diverse array of people who have struggled with a variety of concerns. I previously worked at the UCLA Simms/Mann Center for Integrative Oncology. During my time there, I co-facilitated a support group for young adults with cancer, provided individual therapy and counseling to cancer patients and survivors, ran a surgical education group for breast cancer patients with a nurse practitioner and was part of an integrative psychosocial team in UCLA’s Follow Up, Survivorship, and Multidisciplinary Clinics. My final internship and post-doctoral hours were completed at The Saturday Center for Psychotherapy in Santa Monica where I received intensive advanced psychodynamic training. My work with clients was from a long-term, insight-oriented approach and I helped those struggling with depression, anxiety, addiction, establishing meaningful relationships and working through abusive relationship patterns, excelling professionally, cancer, loss and grief, self-esteem issues. My initial training was with children and families at Santa Anita Family Service and the Psychological Services Center in Alhambra where I provided therapy to individuals struggling with substance abuse and parenting issues, as well as play therapy with children and facilitated a social skills group for elementary school children.
Education
I graduated cum laude from Lawrence University in northern Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology as well as my Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. Continually seeking new life experiences, I also studied abroad in Kenya. I then attended the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, where I obtained my Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology.
Research
My interest in integrative oncology and passion for the outdoors led to my exploration of the two as a clinical dissertation topic, which was written specifically on healing and therapeutic aspects of nature for women with breast cancer. I have given talks and presented an award-winning poster on the same topic.
I have also authored a published article entitled Ecopsychology and Relationship Competency: The Empowerment of Women Graduate Students through Nature Experiences in the journal Women & Therapy.
My Story
It was during my own difficulties coming of age in Santa Monica’s public schools, and my fascination with plumbing the depths of my own psyche that led me to the field of Psychology. I became drawn to the idea of a profession that was based upon being fully present with people in their pain and promoting healing and insight through a meaningful connection.
