Qualifications & Experience

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with experience working in private practice.

I received my Master’s degree from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and completed my licensing training in California working at various community mental health agencies for the underprivileged.

I am trained in the Prepare/Enrich and Saving Your Marriage Before it Starts assessment tools for premarital and married couples. I also have experience providing disruptive event management by responding to crises such as injuries, deaths of co-workers (accidental or medical), lay-offs, robberies, or other unique crises.

My Call to Christian Counseling

When I was growing up, my parents took in foster kids. When I learned about why the kids were with us, I often wondered what would happen if the families had more help.
During college, students often asked me hard questions about life and their relationships.

Following school, I found myself doing several different jobs before deciding to pursue my career in counseling. A common thread to each position was that of helping people. I realized that with each job, my favorite aspects were listening to people, hearing their stories, encouraging them, and providing them with food for thought, direction, or a resource to try.

My decision to be a counselor was definitely God led and an answer to prayer as God provided the right person and conversation at the right time for me to maximize on my education in the area of mental health.

More About Me/On a Personal Note

I like to live a healthy, active life by eating healthy, going hiking, biking, rollerblading, stand-up paddle boarding, snow skiing, and trying other new activities. I’ve always had an interest in learning and meeting new people, and I love to travel. I’ve lived abroad in Argentina and Chile to learn Spanish and teach, and in South Korea to teach English.

Anxiety/Depression

Anxiety and depression often go hand in hand. Together, we will work towards uncovering the root of your anxiety, panic, feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. We will take a close look at your personal story, your past relationships and the roles you have played within those relationships. We will discuss how your past affects your present and examine your lifestyle and the choices you have made, paying close attention at how these affect you today. Looking at the connection between the past and the present will help us uncover possible triggers that bring on your feelings of depression and anxiety. When helpful, I use cognitive behavioral interventions, which are proven to be the most effective tools for learning to cope with ongoing symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Bilingual Counseling (Spanish/English)

As a fluent Spanish speaker, I have 5 years of experience counseling people using the Spanish language. Because I have lived in several Spanish-speaking countries, this helps me relate better with my Spanish-speaking clients.

Life Frustrations

Sometimes, as we do life, we struggle finding purpose or meaning in our lives. This struggle is a part of being a human being, because we hope and hold on to the belief that there is something better. “Does my life have meaning?” “Do I make a difference?” “Do I really matter?” Let me assure you that you do matter, you do make a difference, and your life is valuable. Together, we will tackle these tough questions and explore your heart as you find your worth, purpose, and meaning.

Women’s issues

Unfortunately, as women, hormonal changes and/or imbalances come and go in our lives. Sometimes, these affect us physically and emotionally. If you are dealing with post-partum depression, the aging process, even a lack of self-confidence or self-image, you are not alone! These issues are common to women and it makes a huge difference to have someone you can talk to about these concerns, as well as helping you find and explore natural ways in which to deal with these. Our time together will be a time where we can connect and address your feelings, concerns, or questions, as well as finding practical ways to help you in the process.

Family of Origin

Not enough can be said about the family where we were raised! Those years are such an intricate part of who we are and who we have become. Looking at your family of origin is an important part of the counseling process. We will look at the way you tell your story, the role you played in your earliest years, and how these relate to the roles you play in current relationship with others. As a counselor, I have a passion to uncover truths and to expose secrets that will help you get “unstuck” and allow you to move forward. Where you came from is important, because it will help us understand where you find yourself in the present. Together, we will make a plan that will allow you to break the bonds from the past, and allow you to work toward living the life you want to live, making choices that get you closer to the story you want to live and a future with hope, grace, and forgiveness.

Trauma and Recovery

Sometimes, we find ourselves unable to understand why we act the way we act, why we think the way we think, why we make the choices we make, or why it seems as if insignificant issues become a big deal for no apparent reason. We cannot pinpoint exactly what the cause is for our fear, anxiety, or reactions. We might even begin to wonder if there is something wrong with us. In the counseling office, I will help you explore those hidden places of your heart that you might be unaware of. I will help you look at yourself without judgment and come to a deeper self- awareness and acceptance of the life that you have. Together, you and I will create a safe place for you in the counseling process. In the safety of this relationship, we will talk and explore different situations or circumstances that might be the root cause of your feelings. Sometimes we might use deep-breathing exercises and centering activities that can reduce stress, lower heart rate, and aid in recovering traumatic memories. Once we are aware of the cause, we will begin the healing process for you to mend from those painful memories. There is hope for healing, and great hope for restoration.

Sessions: I offer 53-minute sessions. Sessions can be held more than once per week, weekly, or every other week. Scheduling options are discussed in greater detail during your Risk-Free Initial Session.

Availability (by office location):

• Newport Beach – Monday & Wednesday
• Tustin – Tuesday, Thursday, & Fridays
• Loma Linda – Wednesday
• Online Counseling

Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for Individuals, and Couples looking to pursue counseling with me. Please note that there is a fee for the Risk-Free Initial Session as it is a clinical hour and reimbursable to most insurance companies, but if you choose not to reschedule and continue therapy after the initial session the entire fee for the session will be waived.

Insurance: As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), most insurance companies will reimburse for a portion of my services (as an Out of Network Provider). Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover adolescents, individuals and couples.

Receipts/Statements: In the event you require a printed or digital receipt, I will provide receipts for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).