I collaborate with individuals, couples, and families in understanding how gambling and substance addictions and emotions such as fear and anger are utilized to cope with a host of traumatic stressors. I support clients in identifying and realizing how their internal emotional wounding of the past may be influencing the struggles of the present in all relationships, including the relationship with self. As someone who had experienced and recovered from trauma and its painful consequential after effects, I directly understand how unresolved trauma impacts the self, couples, the family and the community at large and I offer my support to help others explore their self to begin and reinforce one’s own inner strengths and resources to grow and to heal.

Seeking Support

Finding a psychotherapist for help is usually the result of tried coping interventions which are not effecting desired change. Issues which interfere with one personally, professionally which manifest in symptoms on most days for at least 30 days or more. It is also important that one is open, curious, motivated to engage in session by using the process and feedback and uses such outside of therapy; if yes, then please seek support. Benefits include: self-awareness, insight, understanding of self which can lead to improved relationships, self worth, confidence, constructive problem solving, improved communication and listening skills

My goal is to help people achieve harmony by becoming more connected to self. I support clients in identifying and realizing how their internal emotional wounding of the past may be influencing the struggles of the present in all relationships, including the relationship with self. Using a variety of approaches (cognitive behavioral, relational, reality, attachment and mindfulness), I collaborate with individuals, couples, and families in understanding how emotions are utilized to cope with a host of traumatic stressors. 

As someone who had experienced and recovered from life’s challenges and its unrealistic pressures, I directly understand how unresolved trauma impacts individuals, couples, the family and the community at large. I offer my support to help my clients begin and reinforce one’s own inner strengths and resources to grow and to heal.

Education

  • M.A. - Counseling Psychology, University of San Francisco 

  • M.A. - Organizational Management-Graduate School of Business, University of Phoenix

  • B.A. - History, San Francisco State University

  • Certificate - Drug and Alcohol Studies, City College of San Francisco

  • Certificate - Spanish Language Studies, Instituto Cultural Oaxaca, Mexico  

Qualifications

Certifications and Licenses

  • (State of California) Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (#5684)

  • (State of California) Licensed California Marriage & Family Therapist (#111010) 

  • (State of California) Authorized Gambling Education and Treatment Services Psychotherapist

  • CCAPP Licensed, Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (# LR01330315)

  • International Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (ICAADC) International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium, (IC&RC)

  • (State of California) San Francisco Adult Probation Court Certified Batterer Intervention Program Treatment Provider

Clinical Experience 

I have years of experience working in a variety of clinical settings (inpatient, outpatient, DUI, community mental health, hospital, private practice) working with a diverse client base.

San Francisco Department of Public Health, Chinatown North Beach Outpatient Clinic. Clinic Supervisor- Supporting behavioral health clinicians and mental health workers who work with community mental health adult aged clients presenting with a multitude of behavioral, clinical life challenges and issues.

Mental Health Rehabilitation Center Behavioral Health Clinician- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. Provided mental health rehabilitation support to patients who have a severe and persistent mental illness; substance use, gambling addictions; history of homelessness, legal challenges.

Batterers Intervention therapist with John Hamel & Associates, a private practice agency: Facilitated individual and group therapy with individuals who have intimate partner violence, anger, interpersonal relationship and substance dependency issues.

Behavioral Management Clinician-Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center. Provided psychotherapy to long term care residents. Prepared diagnostic evaluations, provided diagnostic impressions, recommendations, and behavioral interventions.

Dual Diagnosis Specialist with the San Francisco Department of Public Health’s Mission Mental Health Community Clinic: Facilitated individual, group sessions with clients who presented both substance and mental health challenges.

Private Practice clinician at The Liberation Institute, a community mental health agency. Facilitated individual sessions with clients who presented with a variety of mental health, substance use issues.

Substance Use Disorder counselor with the Center for Open Recovery/National Council on Alcoholism and other Drug Addictions - Bay Area. Facilitated individual, group sessions regarding substance use.

Clinician at the Daly City Youth Health Center, a community clinic in partnership with Jefferson High School. Provided short and long-term individual, family, couples, and group counseling sessions

Workshop Trainer/Facilitator: Henry Ohlhoff Residential Program Recovery Center on “Awakening your Spirituality.”

Discussion Issues/Topics

Every individual has their own personal experiences. We will collaborate on what you want to explore. Some common topics and issues that come up in session are:

  • Avoidance

  • Phobias

  • Anger /Resentment/Violent behavior

  • Anxiety/Fear/Worry

  • Work Challenges

  • Depression/Sadness

  • Frustration, Irritation

  • Gambling

  • Trauma

  • Relationships

  • Self esteem

  • Grief and Loss

  • Loneliness

  • Spirituality

  • Obsessive Compulsive behavior

  • Co-Dependency

  • Relapse Prevention

  • Divorce/Separation/Infidelity

  • Self-Identity

  • Psychosis

  • Mania

  • Family Dynamics-Roles, Expectations

  • Self Care

  • Sleep

Professional Affiliations

  • Member-California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)

  • Member-California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, San Francisco Chapter (SFCAMFT)

  • Member-Association of Domestic Violence Intervention Programs (ADVIP)

  • Member- The California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP)

  • Member-California Department of Public Health, Office of Problem Gambling (OPG)

  • Member-UCLA Gambling Studies Program (UGSP)

Therapy

I invite you to read the article “What is Therapy?” given it offers questions and answers related to the therapeutic process.

https://www.therapyroute.com/whatistherapy

What Does a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Do?

An LPCC may work with individuals, families or groups on several mental health issues. This can mean anything from diagnosing depression to treating substance abuse problems. People may seek the help of a licensed professional clinical counselor when they feel that their life is spinning out of control. Perhaps childhood sexual abuse has led them to make unwise life decisions or maybe they are dealing with thoughts of suicide. It is the role of the LPCC to get to the root of these issues and to help the individual develop more effective coping strategies.

The LPC will use several treatment techniques. They may use psychodynamic or cognitive-behavioral therapy to help people deal more rationally with challenges. They assist clients with stress-reduction techniques and to develop more effective decision-making skills. As healthy coping strategies are developed and past traumas are addressed, clients achieve better emotional balance and greater mental health.

What Does a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Do?

An LMFT is a branch of psychotherapy that works with families, couples and groups in intimate relationships to not only deal with issues that affect their mental health and well-being, it is also to nurture change and development. It tends to view change in terms of the systems of interaction between family members. It emphasizes family relationships as an important factor in psychological health. Many therapists approach their work holistically, using a “wellness” model (as opposed to an “illness” one) which highlights and encourages client’s strengths.

Some types of issues that marriage and family therapists treat include:

  • Child and adolescent behavioral problems

  • Grieving

  • Depression and anxiety

  • LGBTQ issues

  • Domestic violence

  • Infertility

  • Marital conflicts

  • Substance abuse

On the job, marriage and family therapists:

  • Observe how people interact within units

  • Evaluate and resolve relationship problems

  • Diagnose and treat psychological disorders within a family context

  • Guide clients through transitional crises such as divorce or death

  • Highlight problematic relational or behavioral patterns

  • Help replace dysfunctional behaviors with healthy alternatives

  • Take a holistic (mind-body) approach to wellness

Contact me and let’s discuss how I may offer you some support for yourself, or on helping yourself in relationships.