About me:
I received my B.A. in International Politics from UCSC in 1998 where I had the opportunity to study in Central America for a year. In 2004, I completed my Masters Degree in Social Work (MSW) from Hunter College School of Social Work in New York. I advocated for and was able to graduate with a dual emphasis in Community Organizing and Clinical Social Work. I’ve worked in various settings from Foundations, to social service organizations, and yoga studios to combine my focus in personal growth and transformation, mindfulness, and social justice. I do not consider these interests to be separate, but as essential and integral for individual growth and our global survival.
I have practiced many different forms of social work including public policy, organizing, case management, and now, psychotherapy with individuals. Somewhere in the middle I became a certified yoga instructor. The common thread has always been my focus on transformation and the possibilities that come with change.
I love working with a variety of people on a variety of issues. I work mostly with adults ages 18-100+ who want to work on anything from anxiety, depression, relationships, family dynamics, trauma, life transitions, work stress, or grief and loss, to name a few. Some people even come to therapy when they are not in crisis but are looking to explore opportunities for growth or change in their lives! Having a broad spectrum of education and training enables me to have that flexibility to work with a broad spectrum of people and a range of clinical issues.
My clinical work started in a Settlement House in New York where I did case management and community organizing through an eviction-prevention program called Project Home. My most recent in-depth clinical training was as a Grief Counselor at Hospice of Santa Cruz County. My own experiences with grief taught me a lot about how lonely that process can feel, and how deeply impacted individuals and families are when adjusting to loss. Helping people explore their grief and heal in a safe and compassionate environment at Hospice of Santa Cruz County was very life-affirming, and I continue to do that work in my private practice as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).