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PSYCHOTHERAPIST, CONSULTANT
Clinical Psychologist
I am a clinical psychologist licensed by the California Board of Psychology (PSY23832). Working directly with clients is my passion. I see clients over Zoom in my private practice in West Los Angeles (Culver City, specifically).
After graduating from the University of Michigan with high honors with a bachelor of arts (B.A.) degree in psychology, I received both a masters degree (M.A.) and a doctorate (Psy.D.) in clinical psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. In 2014, I completed the psychoanalytic psychotherapy program at the Los Angeles Institute and Society for Psychoanalytic Studies (LAISPS). I also work in consultation with other licensed clinicians wanting to work psychodynamically with sexual minority clients. |
Experience
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My training is vast and, over the past ten years, I have seen clients from many different backgrounds — ethnic, socioeconomic, geographic, gender, creed, and so on — and a wide range of challenges for individual, couples, and group psychotherapy. I enjoy working with individuals from any and all backgrounds and walks of life, especially those who live alternative lifestyles and non-traditional relationship configurations.
In particular, I have significant experience working within the LGBTQIA+ community, the BDSM and sex work communities, kinky folks, people in non-traditional relationship configurations, and those experiencing symptoms related to cancer, grief, addiction, recovery, complex trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, addiction, and relationship issues. |
Education
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I received my Bachelors degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan - School of LSA Honors, my masters and doctorate degrees in clinical psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies, and completed formal training at the Saturday Center for Psychotherapy.
It is my personal belief that there is always more to learn and ways to expand one's skills as a psychotherapist. So, while I was licensed by the state of California in 2010 (PSY23832), my education continues. I graduated from the psychoanalytic psychotherapy program at the Los Angeles Institute and Society for Psychoanalytic Studies (LAISPS), a stepping stone to my ultimate goal of becoming a psychoanalyst. Additionally, I have presented my research on stigma with sexual minorities to various psychological associations in the state of California. Finally, I attend classes and conferences on the topics of couples therapy, working with sexual minorities, psychedelics, and integrating the latest findings in neuropsychology to integrate mindfulness into psychodynamic work. |
Clinical Training
I was licensed by the state of California in 2010, and have since continued to freshen and hone my clinical skills through classes, workshops, and conferences. In particular, I am am a graduate from the psychoanalytic psychotherapy program at the Los Angeles Institute and Society for Psychoanalytic Studies (LAISPS). Additionally, I regularly attend conferences and classes that relate to working with couples and sexual minorities, and integrating mindfulness and neuroscience into psychodynamically oriented work, among other topics.
Prior to licensure (and after completing three years of coursework at CIIS), I completed my pre- and post-doctoral training at The Saturday Center for Psychotherapy in West Los Angeles (Santa Monica). Here, my training focused on the implementation of intersubjective, process oriented psychodynamic techniques. Here, my private practice consisted of individuals and couples from all walks of life seeking long-term individual and group psychotherapy. During my two years at the center I was supervised by Dr. Bruce Brodie, Dr. Judith Davenport, Dr. Susan Frankel, Steve Kadel, MFT, Dr. Ken Scott, Dr. Judy Swerling, Dr. Daniela Walder, and Dr. Cynthia Wong.
Earlier in my career, I completed a year-long training program at Mission Mental Health Services in San Francisco. Here, I saw non-insured clients in individual therapy, and my clients were primarily Latino immigrants and adults in the LGBTQQ community. I worked with clients struggling with depression, anxiety, psychosis, homelessness, and addiction among other issues. My supervision focused on cultural competency and the integration of humanistic and psychodynamic techniques in a community mental health setting. During this year I was supervised by Dr. Michael Barbee, who specializes in community mental health issues as well as issues particular to the queer community.
At my first graduate-level placement I trained at Pacific Institute in San Francisco. Here, I conducted individual, group, and family therapy at an assisted living facility. I worked alongside doctors, nurses, caregivers, hospice volunteers, and psychiatrists with adults struggling with various forms of dementia, anxiety, depression, psychosis, and/or chronic illness. My work integrated existential, transpersonal, process work, and expressive arts therapeutic techniques. I also trained and worked closely with Zen Hospice volunteers as I learned to care for the dying. During this year I was supervised by Dr. Doris Bersing, Dede Estey, and Dr. Nader Shabahangi, who are well-known for their work in cross-cultural and gero-psychology.
While these experiences occurred after I began graduate school, my interest in clinical psychology began as an undergraduate. At the University of Michigan I worked on a sexual assault crisis line and outreach team (SAPAC) for three years. This experience led me to my decision to pursue an advanced degree in clinical psychology.
Prior to licensure (and after completing three years of coursework at CIIS), I completed my pre- and post-doctoral training at The Saturday Center for Psychotherapy in West Los Angeles (Santa Monica). Here, my training focused on the implementation of intersubjective, process oriented psychodynamic techniques. Here, my private practice consisted of individuals and couples from all walks of life seeking long-term individual and group psychotherapy. During my two years at the center I was supervised by Dr. Bruce Brodie, Dr. Judith Davenport, Dr. Susan Frankel, Steve Kadel, MFT, Dr. Ken Scott, Dr. Judy Swerling, Dr. Daniela Walder, and Dr. Cynthia Wong.
Earlier in my career, I completed a year-long training program at Mission Mental Health Services in San Francisco. Here, I saw non-insured clients in individual therapy, and my clients were primarily Latino immigrants and adults in the LGBTQQ community. I worked with clients struggling with depression, anxiety, psychosis, homelessness, and addiction among other issues. My supervision focused on cultural competency and the integration of humanistic and psychodynamic techniques in a community mental health setting. During this year I was supervised by Dr. Michael Barbee, who specializes in community mental health issues as well as issues particular to the queer community.
At my first graduate-level placement I trained at Pacific Institute in San Francisco. Here, I conducted individual, group, and family therapy at an assisted living facility. I worked alongside doctors, nurses, caregivers, hospice volunteers, and psychiatrists with adults struggling with various forms of dementia, anxiety, depression, psychosis, and/or chronic illness. My work integrated existential, transpersonal, process work, and expressive arts therapeutic techniques. I also trained and worked closely with Zen Hospice volunteers as I learned to care for the dying. During this year I was supervised by Dr. Doris Bersing, Dede Estey, and Dr. Nader Shabahangi, who are well-known for their work in cross-cultural and gero-psychology.
While these experiences occurred after I began graduate school, my interest in clinical psychology began as an undergraduate. At the University of Michigan I worked on a sexual assault crisis line and outreach team (SAPAC) for three years. This experience led me to my decision to pursue an advanced degree in clinical psychology.