“THERAPY IS A GIFT. IT IS A CHANCE TO FINALLY BE HEARD, UNDERSTOOD, AND SUPPORTED. ”

BESSEL VAN DER KOLK

ABOUT

ABOUT ME

WELCOME

I am a therapist who believes in the power of the therapeutic alliance and that therapy should always be collaborative. My work is attachment-based and person-centered, and I meet my clients where they are. I also draw from psychodynamic theory, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), existentialism, narrative therapy, emotion-focused therapy (EFT), and internal family systems (IFS), among many other modalities. I conceptualize all of my cases through a lens of social justice and equity.

BACKGROUND & EXPERIENCE

In addition to having a master’s degree in clinical psychology, I also hold a master’s and a PhD in molecular biology and biochemistry with an emphasis in neuroscience. For almost 20 years I worked as a research scientist at the biotechnology company, Amgen, and in laboratories at UCLA. I became a scientist to help as many people as possible by studying and curing diseases. However, at some point, I realized that I wanted to support people in a more personal way. In 2020, I went back to school to become a therapist, and I am currently working and training at the Pacific Wellness Collective and the Southern California Counseling Center in Los Angeles. My style of therapy is rooted in analytic thought and neuroscience, and I use this to inform and customize treatment plans for each client and couple.

PHILOSOPHY

Together, my deep scientific knowledge and passion for therapy give me a unique perspective as a clinician. I believe that much of what our society labels as “mental illness” can be boiled down to normal biological processes. Nervous system dysregulation, survival mechanisms originating in the brain, imbalances in hormones or neurotransmitters, and real-world traumas and stressors can manifest as anxiety, depression, and unhealthy coping mechanisms. These are simply symptoms of the problem that do not define us and need to be externalized and de-pathologized. You are not broken, sick, or destined to repeat generational patterns. You are powerful and capable of affecting change in your life and healing yourself. Ultimately, you deserve to write your story and live your best life. I am here to support you on your journey of healing and self-discovery. I look forward to meeting you and working together!