Marriage and Family Therapist

According to the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (CAMFT), “Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) are licensed mental health professionals who work with individuals; couples whether or not married; families of all types; and groups to cure or relieve mental, emotional, and relational concerns of all kinds.”

For more information, please visit the website for California Association of Marriage and Family Therapist at http://www.camft.org.

For more information on the requirements of Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, please visit the Department of Consumer Affairs Board of Behavioral Sciences’ website at http://www.bbs.ca.gov.

I work from an elective perspective. I tailor sessions to what you need. However, I would say my practice focuses more on a reflective approach to therapy, more than a tool-based approach. This approach focuses more on understanding why you do what you do by helping you learn to identify what you are feeling, what you need and how to get those needs met. Nonviolent Communication (NVC) approach most closely summarizes my approach to therapy. We will use this approach to create the basis of understanding behaviors while incorporating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Family Systems and Mindfulness to correct undesirable thoughts and behaviors. This approach does not tell you what to do to stop the behaviors or feelings but rather understand them and empowers you to change them.

I obtained a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and went on to earn a Master of Science (MS) in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from California Lutheran University (CLU). Once licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist, I went back to school and completed a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA); fulfilling a personal goal.

Although, most of my road to licensure and to date, has been mostly working in private practice; much of my training includes working in community centers and clinics treating individuals with dual diagnosis including substance abuse. These settings trained me in working with individuals, couples, families and providing group psychotherapy.

However, I chose to remain in private practice because it allows me to customize treatment to each individual and allows me the flexibility to treat patients that is most effective for them.

Given the prevalence of anxiety in our society, I chose to become a Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP). Through this training and certification, I gained access to the latest and most effective methods for treating anxiety. Having worked with numerous individuals struggling with various forms of anxiety and led a group for Social Anxiety and Withdrawal, I found this additional training invaluable in enhancing my ability to help those in need.

In my practice, I focus mostly on helping individuals get to know themselves better and help them understand why they do what they do. These individuals struggle with a vast variety of diagnoses which are not limited to anxiety.