About

I am an independently licensed counselor heralding from Albuquerque, New Mexico. I have a broad theoretical and philosophical background and incorporate mindfulness and eastern philosophy in my psychotherapy practice. My primary background and expertise are in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), the first mindfulness-based modality to be empirically supported. To think dialectically is to embrace the notion that there is no singular truth in the universe and to search for synthesis in what seems to be polarized. In psychotherapy, there is an implicit dialectal balance of acceptance and change. For instance, DBT assumes that all human beings are doing the best that they can (acceptance) and will need to work harder and do more in order to accomplish their goals (change). Adopting a dialectical stance can help individuals find a new way of looking at life that leads to less suffering and to find a middle path when life seems to present a split road.

The foundation of DBT is mindfulness. In order to change any behavior, we must first come into awareness and acceptance of what is happening in the present moment. DBT also incorporates skills training to help individuals learn to self-regulate their emotions, tolerate distress without resorting to unhealthy coping mechanisms, and to be more effective interpersonally. Some client’s come to me specifically for coaching in mindfulness and skills training as acquiring these skills brings significant improvement in job performance, relationships, parenting, and overall enhancement of quality of life. Though mindfulness does not necessarily mean meditation, I do offer training in formal meditative practices for those who wish to learn. In addition to DBT, I am also trained in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Rumination Focused Cognitive Therapy, Eye Motion Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Behavior Modification, and traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I have been able to apply these interventions successfully for clients with a wide variety of presenting problems ranging from anxiety and mood disorders to acute trauma and personality disorders.

Regardless of what modality I am using or what presenting problem is being addressed, the work that I do is compassion-focused. I believe that learning to accept ourselves and treat ourselves with compassion is the foundation for all healing to occur. This comes through in the way I interact in therapy. You will find me warm, accepting, and genuine. The most common feedback I get from clients is that they can tell that I truly care about them and that talking with me is like talking to a “normal person” not a therapist (which always gives me a chuckle). I very much look forward to developing a genuine relationship with you and helping you along in whatever way that I can.