I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in individual, couples and family therapy, treatment of children, adolescents and adults experiencing challenges in daily living, life transitions and mental health mental health disorders. I have a private practice office in Tustin, California. I am licensed in both California and Colorado; though I practice primarily in California. While my private practice in Tustin is independent, I have the pleasure of sharing an office suite with several other mental health professionals in The Multi-Cultural Center, Newport Blvd. in Tustin.

I have had the opportunity to work with a broad range of clients initially in the Community Clinic while attending graduate school at Chapman University

With over 25 years’ experience in the mental health field, working as a psych tech at the Long Beach VA Medical Center initially upon graduation I had the opportunity to work alongside a number of psychologists and medical doctors conducting neuropsychological research as well as research in the area of substance abuse. During this same period of time I also began my internship with in private practice in Placentia, CA.

Among my areas of expertise are mood disorders including depression and anxiety disorders (Including PTSD/PTSD-C), stage of life transitions and relationships discord, parenting challenges, adjustment difficulties and family relationships issues in general. (See the Services page for information.)

I have worked full-time as the Clinical Director for a non-profit serving active duty military personnel, veterans and their families. In addition to providing counseling and peer mentorship services to military families, I supervised undergraduate and graduate students completing degrees in human services majors as well as those completing hours towards licensure.

I have had the opportunity to reside in Atlanta, GA; Santa Fe, NM and San Antonio, TX. While in San Antonio, I was the Director of the United Way in San Antonio and Bexar County of both the Suicide Help Line and their Information and Referral Line. I also, at the time, was completing therapy hours as an LPCC at the Domestic Violence Program in Bexar County where I had the opportunity to work with both Court ordered individuals and their victims facilitating groups as well as individual therapy.

I regard my experience as a clinician, whether it be working for over twenty years with children and families affected by traumatic events or military personnel and their families for the last eight years a privilege. I feel honored to hear the stories of those that have served our country as well as their families, and to walk with them through the shadows that keep them awake at night and doesn’t allow them to let their guard down. This is the same fear that children, even now adults, feel having grown up in abusive homes feel. Trauma and the affects on the person are as individual as our fingerprints. And, while, not everyone develops PTSD/PTSD-C, most everyone is affected by trauma and/or how they coped with it.

I have great respect for differences in beliefs, religion, values, lifestyles and I am aware of the specialized knowledge needed to work effectively with diverse ethnic and cultural groups that goes beyond language, religion, customs and acculturation. Therapy is a relationship built on trust. If I am not a good match for you, there is a good chance that we have someone at The Center who is.

In addition to being an experienced child, adolescent and adult therapist, I have presented at National conferences including those of the American Psychological Association and the Western Psychological Association, and to general audiences speaking on the topics of adolescent development, risk factors and adolescent substance abuse and alcoholism as well as working with veterans and military families struggling with co-parenting issues, substance use, intimate partner violence and PTSD.

I have worked with individuals of all ages wishing to set and reach goals in their lives that have included completing the dissertation, finishing that book they have been working on, and getting and keeping a job as they prepare for a career. I work with couples determining whether to stay or go, and what that would look like. I work with individuals who just want something better for themselves.