Education and Training | EvidenceBasedTherapy

Education & Training

I am a licensed clinical psychologist who began my independent practice in 2016 after working in the mental health field for 20+ years. Ten of those years were spent in graduate school working with groups and individuals under the supervision of licensed psychologists, neuropsychologists, psychiatrists, and neurologists. My own life experiences, and the experiences of those closest to me, also inform my work.

I earned a masters degree (MA) in Counseling Psychology from Lesley University in Massachusetts (2009) and a second masters degree (MA) and doctorate (PsyD) in clinical psychology from The American School of Professional Psychology, San Francisco Campus (2016). I completed predoctoral training at The University of Arizona, College of Medicine (2016) and postdoctoral training at The San Francisco Veteran Affairs Medical Center (2017).

My academic research focused on examining underlying neurological functioning associated with psychotic symptoms. This broad study imbued me with awareness about how various brain-behavior mechanisms correspond to a variety of commonly experienced symptoms, behavioral tendencies, and mental health diagnoses.

My clinical training embraced the concept of neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to form new connections and pathways and change how its circuits are wired. When clinically applied, we can make conscious and consistent behavioral changes that will redirect our lives. Often when we change our behaviors, our thoughts and feeling will follow.

I had extensive training in the theory and practice of psychodynamic therapy and mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) among numerous other treatment models, and this has allowed me to better tailor my treatment approach to the needs of each individual I work with.

Lastly, my own experiences have led me to develop the ability to manage the complex feelings that come up when facing mortality, grief and loss; and, the death/dying process. This has served to compliment my clinical training and practice at holding the space for uncomfortable, confusing, and sometimes unbearable thoughts/feelings/sensations that arise as we face our mortality or death/dying.