About

I specialize in trauma/PTSD, substance use, self-defeating behaviors, anger mastery, family of origin issues, marriage/couples counseling, family counseling, and rebuilding healthy relationships and behaviors. I am trained in the trauma therapies highly recommended by the American Psychological Association for treating PTSD, including CPT, PE, EMDR, etc.

I graduated cum laude with a doctorate in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant University. My research includes publications and presentations in trauma, veteran homelessness, Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS), substance use, sexual violence, child abuse, and posttraumatic growth. I previously trained in the VA medical system with experts in PTSD, moral injury, suicide prevention, substance use, outpatient general mental health, couples, and families. For three years I trained at Veteran’s Village of San Diego (VVSD), where I performed treatments for trauma, substance use, moral injury, general mental health and conducted trauma testing for our nation’s veterans. Additionally, I trained for two years at Sharp Mesa Vista in the “Veterans and Trauma (PTSD) clinic” and the outpatient substance use, “Dual Diagnosis clinic.” I completed a yearlong psychoanalytic fellowship at the San Diego Psychoanalytic Center in psychodynamic and psychoanalytic therapy. I also completed a yearlong training in adolescents and teen counseling including trauma, abuse, and substance use at New Haven Youth and Family Services in Vista, CA. Lastly, I am trained in trauma therapies highly recommended by the American Psychological Association for treating PTSD, including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and more.

Whether you are looking for intensive treatment or personal growth, most clients discover their ability to reach far beyond the basic skills necessary to achieve their initial goals. There can be a lot of joy in understanding ourselves and growing into the person that we can be proud of. The journey is judgement free and at any pace that we need to take it.

I am also currently the Clinical Director and founder of the “Advanced Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Clinic” based in San Diego, CA. During my years as a clinical director, I created and managed several PTSD clinics across California that specialized mostly in psychological services for first responders via in-person and telehealth services. Over the years I have also had the honor of advocating for the rights of first responders to utilize appropriate mental health services in a timely manner and help reduce the stigma associated with mental health in the first responder community. Personally, I am a cancer survivor and enjoy helping others find meaning from all of life’s circumstances and challenges.