Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) | EMDR, TRM, Brainspotting Trained | Author and Former Performing Artist

I am passionate about helping people transform their lives. My goal is to empower my clients with the tools they need to lead a more stable, joyful, and fulfilled life. I believe that we all function our best in a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental environment, and that therapy can give you an open space to address concerns that you might prefer not to discuss elsewhere. I am active and direct in sessions with my clients — I often provide feedback, perspective, and encouragement as you develop greater insight and learn to challenge old patterns that no longer serve you.

I draw from my knowledge of various therapeutic modalities to create an experience that is tailored to your unique needs. I believe that you are the expert on you, but that I can serve as a guide to help you reframe or reprocess what might stand in your way. I believe it is important to emphasize your own inherent strengths as we work together to help you find a greater sense of resiliency and resourcefulness. Additionally, I am particularly interested in the link between the body and mind, and enjoy teaching my clients practical tools to help reduce stress and anxiety. Please click here to learn more about my therapeutic approach.

Specialties

While I work with a wide range of issues, my core areas of specialization include:

Anxiety, Trauma, and Nervous System Healing

  • Generalized anxiety, panic, and chronic stress

  • PTSD, complex trauma (C-PTSD), sexual and emotional abuse, medical trauma

  • Emotional regulation, dissociation, and overwhelm

  • EMDR and somatic therapies for grounding and nervous system support

Narcissistic Abuse & Family-of-Origin Recovery

  • Adult children of narcissists

  • Survivors of narcissistic or emotionally abusive relationships

  • Rebuilding boundaries, identity, self-trust, and self-compassion

Artists, Creatives & Entertainment Professionals

With a background as a professional actor and ongoing experience as a writer, I understand the creative process as well as the emotional complexities that come with it. I specialize in working with:

  • Actors, musicians, directors, writers, performers, visual artists, designers, and other creative professionals

  • Film and entertainment industry professionals

  • Creative blocks, imposter syndrome, identity struggles, body image issues, and developing a clear career and creative vision

  • Navigating work/life balance and the pressures of public visibility vs. private life

Mind-Body Awareness & Yoga Therapy

As a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) with over two decades of experience, I often incorporate body-based practices to support emotional healing. If desired, these tools are a great adjunct to talk therapy and trauma healing modalities and help create a more holistic and embodied healing experience.

  • Breathwork and body awareness

  • Mindfulness and meditation

  • Restorative movement and nervous system regulation tools

  • Trauma-informed yoga

Additional Areas of Focus

In addition to my core specialties, I often work with:

  • Relationship and attachment issues

  • Grief, loss, and major life transitions

  • Burnout, procrastination, perfectionism

  • Highly Sensitive People (HSPs), giftedness, and high intelligence

  • High achieving professionals and entrepreneurs

  • LGBTQIA+ and neurodiversity-affirming counseling

  • Cancer support, chronic illness, and caregiver stress

  • Perimenopause, menopause, and women’s wellness

  • Existential, spiritual, and philosophical exploration

Credentials and Background:

Licensed Psychotherapist & Trauma Specialist

I earned a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Antioch University and have provided counseling to adults, adolescents, and couples at the Center for Individual and Family Counseling, weSPARK Cancer Support Center, Silver Lake Psychology, and the Gay Therapy Center. I currently maintain a private practice. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California (LMFT 119218) and an out-of-state telehealth provider in Florida (TPMF1573). I am also a certified clinical trauma specialist (CCTSI) and I am trained in various trauma healing modalities, including EMDR, TRM (Trauma Resiliency Model), and Brainspotting.

Certified Yoga Therapist, Author, and Mindfulness Expert

In addition to my counseling work, I am an internationally certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) and yoga teacher. For over two decades, I have taught yoga, mindfulness, and meditation in a wide variety of settings, and I am the author of Mindfulness Workbook for Panic Attacks: Healing Strategies to Manage Anxiety, Reduce Panic, and Live in the Moment, published by Rockridge Press. I have previously specialized in teaching yoga to cancer patients during and post treatment, and have worked extensively with weSPARK Cancer Support Center and the Disney Family Cancer Center at Providence Hospital. I have been a regular guest lecturer for Mission Hills Providence Hospital's Wellness Through Awareness program and have served as an "Ask the Expert" contributor for Quantia MD, an online resource for physicians. Additionally, I worked with patients for five years at the Bella Vita Eating Disorder Clinic, a residential treatment facility. I have often worked with those who have chronic illnesses (such as Parkinson’s Disease, ALS, & auto-immune disorders), chronic pain, and injuries. My background as a yoga therapist affords me a keen insight into the physiological issues associated with stress, trauma, and anxiety.

Specialized Support for Artists, Performers, and Creatives

Prior to specializing in health care, I worked for many years as a professional actor in film and theatre. Though it may appear to be an unrelated field at first glance, I've found that the insights I gained from this industry in regards to self-inquiry, psychology, body awareness, empathy, and teamwork have been invaluable and highly applicable to the world of mental health. I have a great respect for the creative process and I understand the unique issues that artists, musicians, performers, and entertainment industry professionals face while pursuing their dreams and goals. 

Education: 

M.A. Clinical Psychology — Antioch University

Yoga Therapy RX Certification, Levels 1 and 2 — Loyola Marymount University 

B.A. Theatre Arts — Marymount Manhattan College

Theatre and Performance Studies — Richmond College, London, UK

Theatre and Performance Studies — Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute

Additional Certifications and Trainings (partial list): 

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy Training, Parts 1 and 2 — Institute for Creative Mindfulness 

TRM (Trauma Resiliency Model) Training, Level 1 — Trauma Resource Institute

Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist (CCTSI) Training — Trauma Institute International

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT Web 2.0) — Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)

Body Based Self Regulation: Introduction to Somatic Techniques in Therapy — Arizona Trauma Institute

Brainspotting Level 1 — Pacific Brainspotting

An Introduction to Healing with Trauma Informed Yoga — Arizona Trauma Institute

Trauma Conference: The Body Keeps the Score - Trauma Healing with Bessel van der Kolk, MD

Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Level 1 — Gottman Institute

Working With Neurodivergent Clients With Trauma — Arizona Trauma Institute

Certified Menopause Bootcamp Workshop Facilitator — Menopause Bootcamp with Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz

Introduction to Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy — Polaris Insight Center

Strategies to Increase Patient Engagement with and Adherence to Digital CBT for Insomnia — Stanford School of Medicine

Relax and Renew Restorative Yoga Training — Judith Lasater

Yoga Teacher Training — Yoga West

Professional Memberships: 

California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) 

International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) 

Boards:

Inner State - Advisory Board Member