My Philosophy

As a therapist, I specialize in helping people who feel insignificant, broken, and beaten up from life. I help them discover significance and meaning not only in relationships, but ultimately in themselves. In short, therapy is an invitation to better understand how you got here and what you want to do about it. I believe that facing your demons is not easy, but avoiding them is. Keeping it real with my clients is one of my mottos; telling them that the path to healing is more of  a journey of exploration. You will have to deal with SOME of the “yuck” in your life to figure out how to deal with those past hurts. You will learn how to take that pain, overcome it, and make a life for yourself that you deserve.

It takes a strong, brave, and disciplined person to do this kind of deep healing and not everyone can do it or will. The choice is really up to you. True healing requires that you start with what happened to you and how you reacted to it. You must see your truth, tell your story, understand how it changed you, and let it go. Retelling your story will help you take control of the things you thought controlled you. I tell the truth, as I see it, with love and empathy, and provide you with the tools for healing and growth.

I have done my own personal work to overcome issues in my past. I know how difficult it can be to take that first step and make the decision to do your work and heal yourself. That is why I am committed to your healing. With compassion and understanding, I will be taking this journey alongside you as you courageously do your work and finally find long-lasting peace.

My whole heart believes that we all have the  ability to heal and restore our sense of safety and connection with others. In fact, research is constantly demonstrating that the brain is malleable, resilient, and adaptive; developing throughout the entire lifespan. Thanks to this little thing called “neuroplasticity” you can rewire your brain. That’s right. The work we do in therapy can actually transform the networks in your brain! Together we explore how all these factors shape the person you really are and help empower you to take ownership of your life.

Specialties and Training

I am a  Licensed Mental Health Counselor, who is fluent in both English and Spanish. I have been a psychotherapist since 2006. I am a Certified EMDR Therapist, Certified Trauma Model Therapist, TBRI Practitioner and Adoption Competent.  I have studied and worked with both children and adults in various settings including: private practice, schools, camps, in-home, and community agencies. My training goes far beyond a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. I have devoted my professional career to training with some of the top experts in the field and keeping up to date on the best ways to help my clients.

I have a passion and calling to help adults work through unresolved issues that affect their lives and to end the cycles of generational, developmental, and relational trauma. My counseling practice addresses most life issues, with specialties in trauma of all kinds.  I also have extensive experience dealing with issues of codependence, narcissistic abuse, anxiety, depression and sexual abuse.

My training with international trauma expert, Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk, and the creator of the Trauma Model, Dr. Colin Ross, led me to the game-changing practice of trauma informed therapy. My goal in therapy is to help clients be aware of the impact of complex trauma, or any perceived trauma, on their experience of suffering and how it shapes their ability to cope. I help my clients train their brains to regulate their emotions, calm their minds, and gain resiliency through mindfulness practices and trauma informed techniques.

I use Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) in my practice to help clients process traumatic memories that have been locked in the brain.  By using this method, clients are able to change negative self-beliefs and process unresolved memories.

Both my work and life are heavily influenced by my training with Pia Mellody. I lead intensive workshops developed by Pia based on her model of trauma recovery: Post Induction Therapy. These workshops address the roots of codependency, thereby facilitating the healing of childhood wounds and enabling participants to live fully functional lives as adults.

Volunteer Work

I am a member of the EMDR-International Association and volunteering my services in my spare time has always been something I love to do. My past volunteer work includes:

  • Homeless Services Network providing donation distribution, social work, Vet crisis counseling.
  • Shelter for Domestic Violence providing crisis counseling to women and children.
  • Mission Trip to the Dominican Republic visiting a small village and an orphanage, providing psychoeducation to the teachers and caretakers.
  • First Responder for the Pulse Night club shooting and continuing to work as a crisis counselor offering ongoing services to the survivors and families of the victims.
  • Providing group EMDR and support for families and survivors of the Mexico Puebla Earthquake.
  • A member of The United States Fire Department Reserve Corps crisis response team, assisting in the aid and need of those affected by Hurricane Michael in the Panhandle and am a certified National Guard Trained Crisis Responder for Natural Disasters.
  • New Kids for Hope – Grief Center for Children providing services as a grief counselor, where I continue to volunteer when I am able.