I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California, LMFT #83687. As a psychotherapist and counselor, I work with people from all walks of life who are interested in exploring ways to live a more fulfilling and satisfying life.  Life transitions such as new job, relationship, divorce, death of a loved one, and moving are some of the situations that can prompt intense or unfamiliar feelings to emerge. Maybe you have been feeling increasingly irritable, down, empty or burnt out. You may find yourself worrying or feeling anxious more than you used to. These states, especially when prolonged, can deplete your vital energy and leave you longing to feel more alive, connected and at peace.

It can be powerful and healing to have a compassionate witness to your most precious and tender experiences, feelings and thoughts. Sometimes in the re-telling of your story you notice a new dimension and may even come to know it in a different more satisfying way. Instead of feeling like you are going it alone, it can be grounding to experience respectful guidance and support as you engage in personal exploration, growth and healing. Indeed, for many, therapy may be first time you have known this kind of relationship.

Working with a good-fitting and competent therapist offers you the possibility of experiencing an authentic and purposeful relationship as the means to facilitate change. In other words,  the way we learn new ways of relating is by experiencing new ways of relating. Like many people, you may not have experienced many (or any) healthy relationships or good relationship models. You may have had to rely on ineffective ways of relating and habits that do not work.  Healthy relationships can be powerful vehicles for personal growth and transformative change. Psychotherapy is ultimately about promoting and creating satisfying and fulfilling relationships - both with yourself and with those around you.

One of the things that I find most deeply inspiring about this work is witnessing the creative process unfold. It is indeed a privilege to engage with people while they take risks and try out new ways of being, embodying new ways of relating with others and with themselves. It is spectacular to witness the compelling life force that pushes through as people work and toil and eventually adopt new ways of living that honor their deepest dreams.

Therapy and counseling can be helpful for a number of issues including:

• Anxiety, panic, worry and stress
• Depression, feeling down
• Relationship, dating and sexuality concerns
• Grief and loss
• Healing from difficult family relationships
• Life transitions on the home front (a breakup, new parents, empty nests, relocation, retirement, etc.)
• Life transitions on the career front (new job, entrepreneurship, etc.)
• Body image and self esteem
• Dealing with the inner critic
• Personal growth
• Addictive behaviors
• Trauma
• Feeling stuck
• Procrastination and avoidance
• Spiritual issues