My interest in working in the field of mental health started early for me, and I was fortunate enough to follow up this passion with both an undergraduate and graduate degree. I did my first graduate program internship at a psychiatric intensive outpatient program attached to a local hospital. My final year’s internship was at a large HMO’s department of outpatient psychiatry and addiction medicine, where I was later hired and worked for 16 years.

I have been providing mental health therapy for more than 25 years.  I specialize in using EMDR to treat adults with complex trauma and health issues, including issues related to chronic illnesses and chronic pain at my busy private practice in Carlsbad, California and throughout California online.  I also treat anxiety, depression, PTSD, stress management and other issues.  I am the current EMDRIA San Diego Regional Co-Coordinator (EMDRIA is the governing body that certifies EMDR therapists), and am an EMDR Certified Therapist and Approved Consultant.  Additionally, I am an EMDR HAP Training Facilitator.

I began treating eating disorders in 2001, which led to treating clients with multiple other health conditions, including chronic illness and chronic pain.  I am certified in DBT and uses that modality in conjunction with CBT and EMDR.  I have completed extensive advanced training in EMDR therapy and related trauma based intervention protocols for the treatment of chronic illness, chronic pain, complex trauma and PTSD, and other mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression and stress management.  For example, I completed the Certificate Program in Traumatic Stress Studies through leading trauma expert Dr. Bessel van der Kolk.

I have also been teaching undergraduate and graduate students since 2006 and am currently a professor at the School of Social Work at San Diego State University, where I teach future clinicians how to be competent therapists.  My many years of providing mental health therapy, teaching, EMDR consultation, clinical supervision and speaking at training events make me a very knowledgeable and patient therapist and EMDR consultant.