I graduated from UCLA with a BA in Psychology where I helped with research on anxiety and panic attacks and how to effectively treat these issues. I pursued graduate work at the California School of Professional Psychology where I wrote my dissertation on Eating Disorders, and graduated with a Doctorate in Psychology in 2005. I sought internships and job opportunities where I would gain experience working with people struggling with Eating Disorders, Depression, Anxiety, and adjusting to life changes. During my schooling, I also worked part time as a Domestic Violence hotline counselor at a DV shelter.
I obtained a position working as a therapist on the Eating Disorder Unit at BHC Alhambra Hospital in 2004 and was asked to take the Program Director position in July of 2008 as BHC Alhambra Hospital transitioned into Reasons Eating Disorders Center at BHC Alhambra Hospital. I started my private practice in 2005 and am still practicing using telehealth as well as in person.
My experiences have given me empathy and compassion for people struggling with anxiety, depression, and issues with adjusting to changes in their lives. My ongoing commitment to the treatment of eating disorders led me to obtain certification in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), to become involved with the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (iaedp), and I was awarded the Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) in July of 2010 based on my experience in the field and the recommendation of my peers. I have also had training in trauma informed therapies, which as allowed me to help people struggling with traumatic responses due to any variety of reasons.
My treatment philosophy has evolved over time based on personal experiences and a desire to motivate clients and facilitate change in those who seek out help for their recovery. I have an Adlerian orientation to psychotherapy and a certification in DBT as a group skills leader. I understand the necessity of collaborating with clients on treatment goals and use an eclectic approach with the belief that clients must be treated from every angle, including; family therapy and education, behavioral therapy to contain behaviors as well as to ingrain new, healthier behaviors into habit, and I also incorporate music, art, metaphors, yoga, and drama as means to help clients better understand why their issues developed and how they are maintained. I believe that clients need to be offered a wide variety of treatment options in order to maximize the benefits of any treatment.