I am a solution-focused therapist with 25 years experience. With a genuine caring for my clients and unique gifts to facilitate a healing, therapeutic environment; I have seen lasting growth and change take place.

I hold a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist license in both California and Colorado, earning it first in California which is one of the most difficult states to get licensed in due to it’s rigorous standards, 3000 intern hours, Clinical and Vignette exams, and demanding continuing education expectations from the Board of Behavioral Sciences.

Licenses

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, MFT 1032, Colorado, 2012

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, MFC 50725, California, 2011

 Education

M.A., Counseling Psychology

John F. Kennedy University, Berkeley, CA- 2003

Specialization in Holistic Studies  

B.A., Psychology                  

University of California, Santa Cruz- 1999

Assistant Professor in Psychology courses

 Professional Experience

I have directly participated in lasting change for individuals and families of vulnerable populations over the last decade. I have facilitated both brief and long term, evidenced-based and person-centered interventions to individuals, families, couples, and groups. Additionally, I have substantial experience working with culturally and socio-economically diverse populations working 6 years in field-work counseling and leadership roles for the largest mental health non-profit organization in the state of California. As a Clinician there I led all 175 clients I served to successful outcomes, coaching parents on how to use creative behavioral interventions with their children and offering in-depth counseling to individuals and families while displaying excellent understanding of cultural sensitivities in the ultra-diverse Bay Area. As a Clinician II, I was the team lead to all other Clinicians and Behavior Specialists utilizing a cognitive-behavioral, humanistic approach. Finally I became the Clinical Program Manager to the Therapeutic Behavioral Services program in both Monterey and Santa Clara counties where I directed the entire child and family intensive services department. The innovative programs I originally piloted there have been emulated throughout the state of California and resulted in additional contracts and grant funding for this agency. I was the face of the agency, the liaison to our relationships with social services, juvenile justice & probation, the San Jose school system, and other external providers.

In 2012 I moved to the beautiful, serene state of Colorado to start a family. I took a position as Sr. Program Manager for a mental health center in Boulder, CO as a director over 5 clinical programs including Assessment and Child Crisis. When I became a mother, I stopped commuting from Northern Colorado to Boulder so I could be with my family and serve best my private practice clients.

In recent years I have been heavily involved in the Northern Colorado mental health community sitting on the Youth Mental Health Task Force for Larimer County and as Clinical Director of Find Your Light Mental Wellness, a Loveland non-profit. I am deeply engaged in Outreach, Psychoeducation, and Navigation in Northern Colorado championing efforts to reduce the suicide rate in our county, as well as encourage local therapists to take insurances, especially Medicaid as I strongly believe accessing quality mental health care should be free/affordable for all. I also am making an impact introducing mental wellness to our pre-school populations, teaching them about taking care of their hearts and brains, as well as their bodies. I also am an advocate and activist for all marginalized communities, but especially passionate about the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as a fierce advocate for women’s rights and reproductive health.

Certifications

• Lead participant in the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare’s 2012 Same Day Access Initiative—a grant I applied for and secured for a mental health agency in Boulder, 2012
• Guest Lecturer on Diversity Domains/Cultural Competency at 1^st Annual Therapeutic Behavioral Services Stakeholders Conference, 2011
• Trainer in Positive Behavioral Intervention Support (PBIS), 2008 and the Wraparound Model, 2006

Core Competencies

Of my 25 years experience, this is a glimpse into some of the populations I’ve served: