How Can I Support You?

 

Therapy is holding the space for someone to be heard. To deeply listen. To witness in a non-judgmental way what another person wants and needs to share. Through this sharing and conversation insights may arise and be shared. Options, possibilities and futures may be envisioned, goals set, strengths and resources identified. 

 
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Psychotherapy

Licensed Clinical Social Work
Providing mindful emotional and mental health counseling to groups and individuals. Building strong rapport with clients while assessing issues and supporting a self-directed path forward.
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• Individual sessions

• Group sessions
 

The clinical scope of my practice includes utilizing applied psychotherapeutic techniques for helping to resolve, but not limited to, the following issues: Anxiety, depression, stress, parenting and caregiver stress, grief and loss, midlife transition, separation and divorce, communication and conflict management, pain and somatic disorders, difficulties in work/life balance, management, communication, leadership skills and problem resolution.

I have studied and practiced many forms of therapy such as psychodynamic approaches, Existential/humanistic, Cognitive-Behavioral, short-term crisis intervention, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Narrative therapy, Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive behavioral therapy, Triple P Parenting and Motivational Interviewing.

Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW) is a strengths-based, whole-person, whole-environment approach to psychotherapy. LCSW training involves in-depth clinical training in all the traditional therapeutic theoretical perspectives. In addition to standard therapeutic approaches, clinical social work also includes an ecological perspective that looks at the person in his or her environment and considers the effect of the environment on their internal processes. A complete therapeutic treatment approach includes a biopsychosocial assessment that takes into consideration social, cultural and environmental factors, as well as the physical and psychological. I have worked for over fifteen years in social work non-profit organizations serving people with developmental disabilities and their families as well as focusing on access to healthcare.  In addition, I have training in management and leadership skills and have personal experience in these areas as an executive. 

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Mindfulness

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
Mindfulness is a way of experiencing life more fully in the moment in an accepting and non-judgmental way and which allows one to take action from a more balanced and fullfilled place. 
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• Mindfulness Based Psychotherapy

• Stress Reduction Classes

• Mindful walking Mindful talking

Mindfulness is the practice of cultivating non-judgmental awareness of the present moment in everyday life. It can help us increase our ability to cope with stressful situations and renew our enthusiasm for life and work.  One can feel more alive and joyful and gain access to powerful inner resources for healing.

To pursue my interests and deepen my training in therapeutic approaches to Mindfulness, I have attended a wide variety of trainings including the InsightLA teacher training with Trudy Goodman and Dr. Christiane Wolf, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction practitioner training with Dr. Jon Kabbat-Zinn and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy practitioner training with Dr. Zindel Segal. I have also studied and attended seminars and meditation retreats with leading practitioners such as Dr. Mark Epstein, Dr. Marsha Linehan, Dr. Daniel Siegel, Dr. Dan Brown, Thich Nat Hahn, Sharon Salzburg, Joseph Goldstein, Dr. Ron Alexander, Diana Winston, Dr. Jack Kornfield, Dr. Robert Thurman, and many more. I have also presented a number of trainings, classes and seminars on topics ranging from acupuncture and Chinese herbology to Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction programs for parents and caregivers as well as MBSR and ADHD.

I have studied and trained in systems of mind body techniques such as relaxation and stress management, yoga, and meditation, which inform my therapeutic perspective and approach.

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Coaching

Coaching is directive, future focused and skills learning-based. Identifying the concern, interest and goal and mapping a path forward. 
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• Personal Coaching

• Career Coaching

• Management & Leadership Coaching

The two most important factors in attaining any goal are to know where you are and where you want to go. The rest is in the details. What are your strengths and where are your challenges? From there, we establish goals for the coaching engagement, develop a plan to attain them, and begin the rigorous work of getting from one place to another. Using tools, such as The Harrison Assessment that explores Paradox Theory, helps people to understand the opposing forces within each person.

 

 

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Acupuncture

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• Herbal Medicine

I offer acupuncture and herbal medicine consultation and treatment for a variety of physical and mental health conditions. Clinical studies on the benefits of acupuncture show that it successfully treats conditions such as musculoskeletal problems (back pain, neck pain, joint pain and others), nausea, migraine headache, anxiety, depression, insomnia and addictions. Acupuncture can activate the body’s own self-healing. 

Acupuncture is the placement of very fine sterile needles below the skin in different areas of the body to stimulate the neuro-hormonal pathways to activate the body’s immune system and natural neuro-chemicals.  It is relatively pain-free and can induce relaxation and pain reduction. Additional modalities may include the use of heat therapy, cupping and herbal medicine if indicated. After an initial phone consultation to determine if acupuncture is appropriate we will schedule an intake assessment and treatment session and then determine the best treatment path forward. 

Additionally, in focusing on the whole person, I bring my experience as a Licensed Acupuncturist to my work as a therapist and coach which has restoring balance in the body and mind at its core. I have also studied and trained in systems of mind body techniques such as relaxation and stress management, yoga, and meditation, which inform my therapeutic perspective and approach. I am trained in and teach Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction classes.