I take an active and structured approach to working with you or your family to help you achieve positive changes within the shortest amount of time.
Licensed Psychologist
Child and Family Therapy
Educational Consulting
CA# PSY17161 / WA# PY00003451
I take an active and structured approach to working with you or your family to help you achieve positive changes within the shortest amount of time.
The Silicon Valley is a micro culture that is often a fast paced, high pressure, and an “always on” environment. Keeping up with the demands of living in this area can cause excessive stress and create imbalance for professionals and their families. If you have gotten to a place of seeking a more fulfilling and substantive life and/or being a more effective and connected parent, then I can help.
I use current and evidenced based therapeutic strategies to guide you through the process of honestly assessing your values, prioritizing your actions based on those values, and creating a realistic plan to achieve what is truly most important to you and your family. You will identify your current obstacles or repetitive/ineffectual behavior patterns that get in your way and then learn more effective skills to reach your identified goals.
You can make lasting and meaningful changes in your life and achieve your desired goals. Whether it be creating more life balance and harmony for you and your family, reaching optimal health, being a more effective and connected spouse/parent, or all of the above. The benefit of working with a psychologist is having a highly trained professional who is focused on your success. Getting started is often the biggest hurdle. The first step is just showing up.
I am a licensed clinical psychologist with 20 years of experience working with parents, children, families, and corporate individuals. My approach is strength based, collaborative, and goal oriented.
I am trained in and draw from evidence-based therapies such as: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
My love for helping people achieve their personal and professional goals motivates me to approach my work with passion and enthusiasm. Being a parent comes with many joys and equal challenges. As a working parent myself, I genuinely understand the ongoing pressure of getting it all done. That’s why having another support system to get you through life’s transitions, challenges, or just when needed, can be invaluable.
I was born and raised in the Bay Area and have lived most of my life in California. I contribute my time and expertise to children’s charities and my community whenever possible. In my free time, I love to cook, exercise, and most of all spend time with my daughter and husband.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
I have spent 20 years working in the mental health field consisting of private practice, corporate environment, school setting, and community mental health agencies. The primary focus of my private practice has been on general parent coaching with an emphasis on educational support for learning differences, high ability, underachieving, and behavioral challenges. Additionally, because of my years in casting and interviewing on camera, I offer psychologists and professionals my expertise in performance coaching to prepare for on camera interviews, webinars, website introduction videos, Ted talks, etc.
EDUCATION
Certified Mindfulness for Anxiety, ADHD, and Depression in Children and Teens
ADHD Certified Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP)
2006 Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Washington-Current
2001 Licensed Clinical Psychologist in California-Current
1998 California School of Professional Psychology (now Alliant University) Psy.D.: Individual, Family, Child proficiency
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
APA – American Psychological Association
CPA – California Psychological Association
SCCPA – Santa Clara County Psychological Association
SENG – Social Emotional Needs for the Gifted
CAG – California Association for the Gifted
Listing with National Register
Parent Education Representative, Hillbrook School
NON PROFIT INVOLVEMENT
BREAKTHROUGH SILICON VALLEY – San Jose, CA Educational support and mentoring for underserved middle and high schoolers
HILLBROOK SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP FUND – Los Gatos, CA Co-Chair for annual auction
LYCEUM OF SANTA CLARA VALLEY- Bay Area, CA Non profit organization supporting gifted families
PEPS (Program for Early Parent Support) Group – Seattle, WA
CHILDREN UNITING NATIONS – Los Angeles, CA Mentor training for foster children
UNITED IN HARMONY – Los Angeles, CA Camp for homeless children
MEDIA EXPERIENCE
2010 AM 150 Interviewed for the parenting radio show on preparing for baby
2003 Oprah Show pre-taped interview on special needs of homeless children-follow-up
2002 La Opinion Interviewed for article as expert child psychologist
2002 KFWB Interview as expert child psychologist for special needs children
2001 KNBC Interview as expert child psychologist for news “Children and Stress”, following 9/11
2001 KNBC Interview as expert child psychologist for news “Dealing with children during terrorist attacks”, following 9/11