About Me . . .

I have had a wide variety of professional experiences.  My background includes working in the food industry as, dietitian, public health professional, and presently, a therapist. In each of these areas, I have spent years watching people, working with others, teaching people, and learning from those around me.  Through these observations, it has become clear that the one thing we all want is to be seen, heard, and understood.  Life is full of complexities, "messiness," as well as beauty in relationships with others and especially with ourselves.

As a culturally conscious therapist, I strive to create safe spaces for people to learn, figure out who they are, what they want, and explore who they could be.   All of this is addressed without judgment, regardless of faith, gender, weight, culture, or race.

My Emphasis . . .

I am deeply committed to helping individuals, couples, families, systems, and institutions.  Together we move toward an understanding of what drives us to do the things we do, who we are, and ways to live to our fullest potential, with self, and with others. I am passionate about how our various cultural and family backgrounds shape how we live, how we feel shame, and how we thrive.

My goal is to facilitate awareness of one's past, work through one's present, and plant seeds of hope for the future.  This growth will create a more holistic sense of self that leads to lasting change in our behaviors and how we see ourselves.

My Values . . .

Being an immigrant and woman of color myself, I recognize and am passionate about the struggles and issues that diverse populations face.  My goal is to help break down the barriers and stigmas that they face, especially when seeking counseling and mental health services.  I hope to explore issues that keep us stuck and dis-empowered and find ways to move differently and create our own identities in our world.

My practice is grounded in the awareness that my clients are the owners of their stories.  I believe strongly in the beauty of collaboration.  My clients and I work together to embrace self-knowledge and use their power to meet new parts of themselves.  I am present to 'walk' alongside them in the process with compassion and respect.