I graduated from the University of California at Davis with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a minor in Human Development. I also independently pursued my passion for the fine arts, including painting, sculpting, and photography. Art has always been a healing force in my life and has become a valuable addition to my work in the field of psychology.
I completed a dual Master of Art degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and Art Therapy from Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, California. Being able to utilize art in therapeutic ways opened up a multitude of opportunities adding richness and depth in my work with others. In learning more about Art Therapy, I saw from experience that using multiple modalities (art and traditional “talk” therapy) helped my clients move closer to their own goals in therapy in unique ways.
During and following my graduate education, I began working towards my specialty in working with women and men recovering from Eating Disorders. I trained as an intern at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford University Medical Center, leading groups and providing individual therapy sessions with adolescents. I developed a strong sense of respect and compassion for the long and often life-threatening road of living with and recovering from an Eating Disorder. After moving out of the San Francisco Bay Area, I relocated to New York City, diversifying my experience working in a residential home for adults with chronic mental illnesses, leading groups, providing individual therapy sessions, as well as case management.
Returning to my roots in the Los Angeles area, I continued to diversify my practice, working with women, men, children, adolescents, and families in various modalities. Most recently, I worked at the Center for Discovery and Adolescent Change, providing therapy for adolescents with Eating Disorders in residential treatment. My experiences as a therapist have broadened my respect for the challenges that women face throughout their lives, including body image issues, personal trauma, societal pressures, and the daily stressors that women navigate through on a daily basis.