I help stuck and overwhelmed people gain insight and find happiness by creating clear goals, teaching practical tools, and resolving past trauma.
Feeling overwhelmed and stuck? When not feeling hopeless and depressed are you plagued by anxiety? On top of it all do you feel dissatisfied, guilty and unworthy?
Many clients come to our first session with a deep sense of shame, believing they are "not good enough." They feel they should have done better with their life and their choices. They fear “being caught "as a fraud. They’ve been pretending to be smart or ok, but deep down inside they don’t feel ok at all. They feel disconnected from themselves and others. They feel behind in life and fearful they will never catch up. The attempts they have made to resolve their pain, haven’t worked, so often they give up trying.
You can feel in control of your life. You can make different choices that lead to improved moods. You can look forward to your future and not be at the mercy of your past. You can feel regulated, calm and peaceful. You can have a sense of agency and feel connected to your purpose.
No matter what your stuck points are, you can get unstuck. In therapy we will create goals and a plan to achieve them. You will gain insight into why you have struggled, and move past your limitations. You will have a sense of confidence and know you can manage life. You can do more than just "get by." You will have a happy and fulfilling life.
You aren’t supposed to have it all figured out. Life is hard, and at times we need guidance. Therapy is about diving in to find the right answers for you. It’s about examining the meaning you make of the things that happen in your life. Then we keep what fits and is helpful, and change isn’t. The therapist isn’t smarter than you and doesn't have some answer key you didn’t get. A quality therapist is curious, skillful and not you! A skilled therapist can see things without the smudged lens you’ve been looking through.
I became a therapist because of my desire to understand how to be happy and resilient. It is a privilege to make a living doing such meaningful work. My practice has evolved in my 18 years as a clinician.
The main modalities I draw from are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Ego State Therapy, Mindfulness and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.
Take the next step and text or call me today.
Outside of the therapy office, you may find me out on the trails- running or biking with my Springer Spaniel, friends or family. I also enjoy watching my son play baseball or soaking up the sun at the beach. I make good use of the beautiful area we live in and feel very grateful for this community.
In November of 2023, I suffered a complex facial trauma while out on my mountain bike with my family. A simple lapse in judgment where my skills did not match my ambition resulted in me being hospitalized and out of work for a month. That started my most recent healing journey. I had to pull out every tool in my mental health tool box to navigate the acute trauma responses. I had to face my fears of how I would appear and the limitations I would have. Finding self-acceptance as I learned to navigate my new normal was something I had to work for. This trauma and recovery has ultimately changed me as a person and a clinician in more positive ways than negative.
About Me…
What sets my approach apart is 1) My commitment to providing experiences in sessions that are transformative and healing, not just theoretical. 2) My willingness to be practical and transparent- we will clearly understand your overarching goals, but I will meet you where you are each session. I will gently hold you accountable, steer your focus, and get down to business.
Some clinicians focus solely on self-regulation and thought reframing, while others tend to want to dig deep- I offer the whole range of interventions. My training in “parts work” offers a method of understanding the parts of yourself you may not like and how to work with those part to evolve.
Having been a clinician for nearly 20 years, I feel very comfortable in this role, and that comes out in the office. I don’t come off as an expert who knows more than you, but a collaborator on your healing. I’m not a blank slate that is hard to read, nor will it feel like you may as well of just had a chat with a friend. My approach strikes a balance of warmth and professional. I take your healing seriously, but I don’t take myself too seriously. I am curious and present. I am willing to be wrong and test things out. I have had my own bouts of anxiety and trauma recovery. I am resilient and I want to share with you all the tools that have worked for me, as well as for my clients over these years.
My Approach as a Therapist
Schedule a Session
Available for In Person, Telehealth and Walk and Talk therapy
Location
793 Higuera #8
San Luis Obispo, Ca 93401
Call or Text
(805) 704-3698
FAQs
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I take insurance that allows for out-of-network benefits. Before we begin, I will ask for a copy of your insurance card so I can get you an estimation of your share of the cost. I can bill your insurance directly or provide you with a superbill- I want to make this process as easy on you as possible.
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There is no onsite parking at my office. The nearest parking garage is located on Marsh St. downtown San Luis Obispo. My office is upstairs on Higuera St- the main street of downtown. There is a stairwell that is directly next to SLO Swim retail store.
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There are many avenues to heal and change your life. The right therapy with the right clinician can often lead you to results more quickly than other methods. I respect and appreciate any method of healing that is working for you. Often, therapy can support the other things you are already doing that are working well.
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45 minute session- $150
60 minute session $170
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I offer Telehealth, phone and in-person therapy, and “walk and talk” therapy. I highly recommend in person via my office or meeting somewhere to walk and talk for therapy if you are able. If you are not feeling well or on vacation and you still want to keep your session, Telehealth or a phone call is a good substitute.
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Please give me as much notice as possible if you can’t make a session- call, text or email me to notify me of changes. Sessions cancelled for any reason with at least 24 hour notice will not be charged. If you are ill or have an emergency, you will not be charged for a missed session.
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In a call or an initial session, you can often tell whether I would be a good fit for you. Trust and safety don’t always develop instantly, but you should feel like you could develop trust with me. Please see my about me for more details about me and my approach.
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Walk and talk therapy, is when we select a outdoor space to walk as we do our therapy session. Some people feel more open in these settings. It is not appropriate for everyone. Please let me know if this setting interests you, and we can discuss it further.