Education:
-Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from CSU Stanislaus 1999
-Masters of Science in Counseling Psychology CSU Stanislaus 2004
-Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with the Board of Behavioral Sciences 2009
Experience:
I have been involved in the field of mental health for nearly 17 years. I have worked in a variety of settings, with a variety of adult and childhood diagnoses including:
-Inpatient mental health facility.
-Coordinating outpatient services at a counseling center specializing in working with women and children who have been victims of sexual assault, domestic violence or violent crimes.
-Facilitated parenting groups for women in need of parenting support after leaving violent relationships.
-Counseling children and teens and providing family services, including parenting support for families and children with a variety of diagnosis and from a variety of backgrounds.
-Created and facilitated a support group for bereaved parents and family members who suffered the loss of a pregnancy, infant or child.
-Working within the school based mental health system providing counseling services and also providing evaluation for emotional disturbances in students K-12.
My philosophy:
I believe that people have the strengths and the resources that they need to solve their problems but with life's circumstances and burdens, we sometimes forget these strengths and resources. I believe that often times, it takes someone from "outside of the box" to help point out these things. I also believe that change happens by creating safe environment for people to express themselves. I feel that true expression of thoughts, feelings and actions, and becoming in touch with them, facilitates change. I believe that therapy should be a positive experience, and that you are the expert on your life. It's my job to help you find your way back to being the expert at your own life, so that you can create your happiness!