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Licensed in California since 1981 I have been providing counseling therapy for over 40 years to individuals, adolescents, and families. I have wide experience in hospitals, community mental health clinics, and private practice office settings.
My approach
I was trained in psychodynamic therapy but now find short-term Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is more effective for client needs.
My focus
I find myself most effective with people who can identify the needs or pain they feel and we can focus on symptom relief. I also have decades of experience in supporting people in recovery from alcohol and or drug abuse.
My communication style
I ask clients about people who have positively influenced them in the past to find out what characteristics a client finds most supportive and are likely to facilitate their personal change.
My journey to mental healthcare
I experienced the loss of my mother in an automobile accident when I was 12 and had to learn to adapt quickly to my changing environment. I was popular at school and learned to gather support from peers and the church youth group. I received a lot of feedback in my teens about how I was a "good listener" and so continued to develop those skills professionally.
My goals for you
I work with clients to identify one, two, or three goals they would like to achieve in a three-month period so that we can stay focused and intentional on change. If a client needs to go longer we can. If we change focus to different problems as we proceed, I can be flexible to meet client needs.
My first session with you
Although there are certain questions that need to be asked for insurance coverage purposes, I generally let the client tell me what is bothering them and what they have tried to do to relieve the pain or suffering they are currently experiencing.
