My Approach to Helping

In a welcoming environment, we will work together to help you build improved personal relationships and achieve professional success. My therapeutic approach is to provide support and feedback while helping you recognize how past history and events in your life may be contributing to underlying issues of self-doubt, fears or anxieties.

Learn how you can be free of negative thoughts and beliefs that often keep you from moving forward in your life. With gentle encouragement I will help you move through and beyond difficult situations. As you progress in your therapy you will gain new insights and self-awareness, contributing to positive feelings of self- worth and the ability to enjoy inner peace and calm. Our work together will teach you to build on your strengths and capabilities, to trust in yourself to make life enhancing decisions and reach your desired goals.

In Couples Marriage Counseling sessions you will learn how conflict in a relationship can often result when there is poor communication. My goal is to help couples gain insight and a deeper understanding of one another. This facilitates learning new ways to communicate effectively, resolve ongoing conflicts, repair trust, support one another, and bring laughter back, all of which promotes healing, connectedness and growth toward a stronger, more fulfilling relationship.

I have 15 years of experience as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, working with adult individuals and couples. I am specialized in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Desensitization to treat panic attacks and phobias, Performance Anxiety and Stress Reduction, and MindBody Awareness. As well, I am certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) effective in treating PTSD (Post traumatic Stress Disorder) I value and respect the uniqueness of each individual as we work together towards healing and change. I welcome any questions you may have about me and my practice.

More Info About My Practice

My specialty is working with adults and couples.

My fee is $125.00 for a 50-minute session. I participate in several insurance panels such as Anthem Blue Cross,Blue Shield, Value Options,etc. I accept out-of-network insurance and am happy to bill your insurance company. Please call my office with any questions you may have about my fees and insurance coverage.

My hours are as follows:
Mon. 2:00pm - 6:00pm
Tues. 11:00am - 6:00pm
Wed. 9:00am - 5:00pm
Thur. 3:00pm - 6:00pm
No office hours on Friday

My office is located at 4444 Riverside Dr. Suite 305, Toluca Lake, CA 91505. It is 2 blocks west of Pass Avenue, near the Studios.

What I Say to People Concerned about the Therapy Process

When an individual begins therapy, or thinks about beginning therapy, a very common fear is that they will be overwhelmed by the feelings, emotions, or memories that surface. Working through that fear is where we can begin.

Together we forge our working relationship, one built in an environment of support, and based on acceptance and compassion. It becomes the haven where you feel safe to access your inner world, knowing that I am here to support and guide you if intense feelings surface. You and I work at your pace, taking small incremental steps that allow you to process what you are discovering and learning about yourself as you go.

As you continue in your progress toward emotional healing you have the reassurance that the experience will be manageable, at times challenging, at others amusing, and ultimately, liberating. Each individual?s therapy is tailored to meet their specific needs and may include one or all of the following:

Learning to ground and center yourself;
Learning to find your oasis of calm, and other self-soothing techniques;
Breathing exercises, relaxation, and imagery;
Learning to be aware of body sensations;

Learning these techniques of self-regulation can help you to find a sense of inner strength and peace, building up your confidence in your ability to manage your feelings without fear.

Importance of the Client-Therapist Alliance

The connection between therapist and client plays a very important role as you begin your healing process. In a safe and supportive environment we can explore difficult or painful events in your life. In our work together you will also learn new skills to nurture and comfort yourself, feeling more confident that you can manage uncomfortable feelings and situations.

I listen carefully, responding to your needs, reassuring you that I understand and that I am empathic to your challenges and conflicts. You may be struggling with relationships, depression, fear and anxiety, or you may be feeling numb. These states often lead to distortions in how you perceive yourself and others. Also, this often impacts your ability to trust, avoiding relationships and opportunities.

I can help you see options and learn new ways of handling situations you may be facing in the present, preparing you to manage situations and events in the future. As you feel validated and reassured in our therapeutic alliance, renewed strength and confidence will help you make choices that are right for you, continuing to feel better and move forward.