Find a Therapist in Redwood City, California.

My approach to psychotherapy is holistic, incorporating body and mind, looking at various areas of life and finding the right balance. I help clients get to the root of psychological issues in order to heal from the ground up. The kind of therapy I do goes beyond talk therapy and is very experiential, exploring underlying emotions and deeply rooted patterns. I am deeply compassionate but not afraid to be honest and direct as well. I use a variety of tools such as mindfulness, self compassion, and modalities like EDMR, IFS, ACT and Ketamine Assisted Therapy (KAP)

I have 20 years of diverse professional experiences and extensive training. I am a published writer, lecturer and passionate about my field. I specialize working with Individual Adults and Teens. My style is conversational, and I strive for a collaborative and compassionate practice with my clients. Though, I am trained in a variety of therapies, I primarily work in narrative and psychodynamic theory. Additionally, I may draw upon other similar or complimentary theoretical approaches to create a highly personalized treatment plan based on your needs and goals.

Feeling stuck in a cycle that is causing you pain or a lack of fulfillment leaves you open to increased stress, followed by more pain and lack of fulfillment. This puts a strain on your relationships and your sense of well-being. Maybe you feel stuck in addiction, depression, anxiety, a relationship you want to change, a job that doesn't satisfy you anymore. Maybe you have specific ways of interacting with people that you find doesn't serve you anymore- yelling, arguing, passivity, keeping your guard up. We explore your patterns, your symptoms and the reasons they were useful to you. I will teach you knew ways of managing your emotions and ways to diminish patterns that no longer serve you.

Many clients have reported that their past therapists have just "sat there and listened" without offering any advice of value. While we all need a sounding board and time to tell our story, many clients are interested in their therapists' feedback. When and where appropriate, I am willing to offer my thoughts and experience to my clients. It is through building a healthy, authentic relationship with our therapists that enables us to use this as a model for our other significant relationships. Psychotherapy is the perfect place to begin (or continue) this process.

In psychotherapy, the therapist and the client build a unique relationship. Like most positive relationships, it is centered on caring and trust. Unlike other relationships, this one exists solely to meet the needs of the client. It can be very helpful to talk with friends and family when you’re struggling, but friends and family have a vested interest in the outcome of your struggles. They are familiar with who you are, so it is usually uncomfortable for them if you change, even when the change is positive and needed. As an unbiased professional, your therapist focuses on what is best for you, whether it is making big changes, small changes, or no changes.

In psychotherapy sessions with me, you will experience a safe place for your story to be heard, for your experience to be understood, and for your process to be respected. Initially, I will help you to contain any current crises in your life in order to create the conditions of safety that make way for deeper healing. By experiencing compassion and receiving effective feedback in sessions, you will be able to begin to process your pain more effectively so that you can let it go and move toward a stronger sense of self, more satisfying relationships, and freedom to live more fully. Call me with any questions or to schedule an initial appointment.

I work primarily around self-acceptance, learning how to achieve intimacy and breaking free of conditioning. My experience is that this work helps to heal trauma/ PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), depression, low self-esteem, addictions (alcohol/drugs/sex) and anxiety. I do this work with individuals, couples, families and adolescents. My approach is holistic, meaning that I work with the mind, body and spirit. I also welcome those who simply want the added flexibility good therapy can achieve, enabling them to live fuller, richer, happier lives.

Are you interested in getting relief and finding solutions? Would you like to feel good about your life and relationships? I use empirical research and science across multiple disciplines to show clients just like you how you can get real-world, tangible, time-tested, and long-lasting, results that lead to optimal mental and relational health. Mental and relational health is not just a reduction in symptoms and problems. Instead, they are increases in self-control and empowerment, as well as acceptance, freedom, kindness, compassion, safety, and understanding - for yourself and others.

My clients often find me easy to talk to and say they feel comfortable with me, trusting quickly. This can make the psychotherapeutic process easier and more effective for my clients, especially if they are nervous or don’t know what to expect. Therapy with me can range from just talking casually with each other, leading to insights, increased self awareness, and processing through emotional issues, or it could be more intensive deeper therapy like EMDR.

Psychotherapy is known as 'talk' therapy, but in my practice it means a whole lot more than just talk. It is all about change. Whether you come to me as an individual, couple or family, I will help you with the changes you want in your life. Together, we will explore, talk about the ways to make these changes happen and actually put these changes into action.

Therapy is not a one size fits all experience. Though I extensively trained to understand specific theories of practice, I utilize a "prescriptive" approach. This means I will adapt to your needs in treatment. Therapy is co-created, it is relational, and it is in the therapeutic relationship where we seek personal growth to apply outside the therapy room. I work with adult individual clients who are grieving a significant loss, LGBTIQ+ adults, adults with creative blocks, neurodivergent adults, people pleasers, those recovering from trauma, and adults burnt out about their work.

Psychotherapy provides a safe place for you to learn about yourself with another person who isn't related to you and who you don't have to protect from your fears, secrets or uncertainties. Some people use this time to work out problems from their childhood and to see how that may be effecting their lives and relationships today. Others focus on what they want to create for life now and in the future. We can work together to help you learn better skills to cope with uncertainty, striving, change, and success, or failure. I can be a sounding board for you to practice your communication skills in session and a witness and coach as you create new direction and focus for your life.

I love doing psychotherapy with individuals. It is an exploration of who you are, your stengths, where to you get stuck? Many issues you may be struggling with just vanish with a new understanding of your life and your body's responses to stress and trauma. Sometimes, specific tools and skills need to be learned and practiced. Safety and confidetiality are the first requirements in working well together. Next comes attunement. Have you ever felt like someone really really gets you? That is what good therapy does. Being really understood by someone makes us feel better about ourselves and removes our shame, allowing us to connect with others and enjoy our life rather than be burdened by it.