My passion is to help people create more loving connections with themselves and then within their relationships. I assist in helping clients to define their own truth and then to begin to communicate that truth with love and compassion. My practice is richly diverse as I welcome people from a variety of beliefs, countries, ethnicities, sexual orientations and perspectives that reflect traditional as well as non-traditional. All are welcome!
Additional Training
My skills remain current through Professional Trainings.
I have completed Level 1 and Level 2 Trainings in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and I use Gottman Method Couples Therapy in my therapy work.
Professional Memberships
Clinical Member: American Association of Marriage & Family Therapists (AAMFT)
Clinical Member: California Association of Marriage & Family Therapists (CAMFT)
Clinical Member: Santa Clara Valley Chapter, California Association of Marriage & Family Therapists (SCV-CAMFT)
Member of The Honor Society Of Phi Kappa Phi
Most people enter therapy because they are in some kind of pain. What previously worked to decrease their pain, no longer serves them well. In an effort to provide treatment specific to each clients's needs and goals, I utilize traditional "talk therapy" as well as Guided Imagery, Gestalt and Dreamwork.
Some common relationship themes are:
One's Relationship With Oneself
One's Relationship With One's Partner/Spouse
One or Both Partners Who Feel Separate and Alone
An Adult's Relationship to One's Parent/s and or Family Members
One's Relationship to One's Work (Co-workers, Employers, Employees and Work Issues)
Other pertinent issues may include:
The Aging Process; Elders; Coping with Aging Parents; Abuse; Addiction; Co-dependency; Anxiety; Depression; Considering an Affair; Infidelity; Healing From An Affair; Creative Communication; Grief and Loss; Forgiving Process; Health Issues; Gay and Lesbian Issues; Self Esteem; Anger Management; Stress Reduction; Assertiveness; Retirement Preparation and Adjustment to Retirement; Empty Nest Syndrome; Life Transitions (birth, graduation, engagement, marriage, separation, divorce, child in boarding school or college, terminal disease in a loved one, death, retirement, unemployment; relocation) Spiritual Issues and Life Assessment. This is not a complete list!
I am an interactive, collaborative and solution-focused therapist. My therapeutic approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. I integrate complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. With compassion, empathetic skills, intuition and understanding, I work with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.
I
envision the wholeness of each person and I share my perspective while encouraging each client to explore and define their own truths. While I do believe that Insight is important, that alone may not necessarily support change. I encourage the integration of insight, feelings and thoughts as well as behavior shifts. I honor that each person has their own unique pacing.
Education
1985 M.S. Clinical Psychology, with Minor in Womens Studies, San Jose State University
1982 B.A. With Great Distinction, Psychology, San Jose State University
License & Certifications
1988 Licensed in the State of California in Marriage Family Therapy
Certified in Hypnosis, April 7, 1991
Certified in Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing, (EMDR I & II), April 24, 1993