Values

My journey to becoming a therapist is inextricably bound to my journey in understanding what social justice means to me. I found myself returning again and again to the idea (which later became a belief) that change happens in relationship, whether that’s on an individual level or as a society.

What I love about therapy is doing exactly that and having the honor of being invited into your journey. I am here to wade with you through the messiness of your complex reality and help facilitate movement towards liberation, as you define it.

My professional stance is driven by my values of anti-oppression, feminism, community, and respect. I work most often with queer and/or trans folks, people of color, and folks exploring their identities. I have a special place in my heart for those on personal journeys with unlearning systems of oppression (e.g. internalized transphobia, racism, ableism, homophobia).

Approach

I would describe my therapeutic style as relational, flexible, person-centered, and humorous. I believe in your inherent strength, capacity, and resilience and see my task as working alongside you as you manifest the life that you want to lead.

I aspire to practice through an anti-oppressive lens and to be radically present with you. This will at times involve flexibly applying evidence-based tools and techniques that I have cultivated over years of training across a range of medical and mental health settings.

For those of you who love the jargon – I have training in and integrate aspects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Internal Family Systems, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. While I value what I have learned, none of this outweighs the expertise you have on your own experience.

Experience

I received my Masters of Science and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from PGSP-Stanford PsyD Consortium and completed my predoctoral internship at Cambridge Health Alliance/Harvard Medical School with a focus on Adult Outpatient and Primary Care Behavioral Health Integration. I also completed a postdoctoral fellowship specializing in the Continuum of Care for Addiction and Trauma at the Palo Alto VA Healthcare System where I founded a multi-tier multicultural program in Addiction Treatment Services.

The focus of my clinical career has been on marginalized populations who experience chronic disease, trauma, addiction, and suffering in the context of intersecting systems of oppression. That has led to experience in a variety of settings including community mental health specialty clinics (e.g. Gender and Sexuality, Latine mental health), integrated hospital settings (e.g. Infectious Disease, Liver, Primary Care), as well as general outpatient mental health clinics and an eating disorder enhanced outpatient program.

Lastly, I have co-authored book chapters, facilitated workshops, and provided trainings on race and gender in the therapeutic space as well served as Chair of American Psychological Association’s Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity (CSOGD).