About Us

As a therapist I am trained to provide brief, specific, and solution-focused services to individuals, couples, and families. I try to help clients achieve their goals quickly and efficiently. I enjoy getting to know clients individually and want to help clients feel better about themselves and their relationship with others. You can learn more about marriage and family therapy here. Overall, my basic goal is to help my clients feel like therapy was a successful experience.

Quick Facts:

• AAMFT Clinical Fellow and Approved Supervisor
• Advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples (http://www.iceeft.com/)
• Experience as visiting faculty at Wheaton College in the Clinical Psychology program (2016) and as full-time faculty at Northern Illinois University in the Specialization of Marriage and Family Therapy program (2012-2015)

Congratulations on taking the first step to try something different in your life. Reaching out for guidance may be scary, but I can already see your courage. In individual, couple, and family sessions, I work with my clients to create inner and outer peace. I believe that the therapy journey is about creating awareness of our already existing inner resources and adding more to our resource tool box so we can live our best life. Whatever change you want in your life, or whatever challenge you are struggling with, you are not alone.

I provide online sessions which you can attend from the convenience of your own home or at our office. I often work with clients facing life transitions, conflict and intimacy issues in relationships, work/life balance, anxiety, depression and trauma. In our sessions, we also discuss how to increase positivity and find confidence in one’s own abilities.

Quick Facts:

• EMDR Certified since 2015
• AAMFT Clinical Fellow and Approved Supervisor
• Experience as a clinical adjunct faculty (2013-2017), the interim Clinic Director of the Couple and Family Therapy Center (2017-2018), and visiting assistant professor (2018-2019) at Purdue University Northwest.

I would be honored to be your therapist and help you and family obtain the support and hope you deserve. I particularly specialize in child and family relationships. Does your child have behavioral, social, or emotional challenges? Does your child not listen, whine and nag, act defiant, tantrum, and have anger or aggression? I’m fluent in the languages of parenthood and childhood. I work with many mothers who desire a caring and safe male role model for their child. I offer play therapies, where children can express thoughts and emotions through the language of playfulness. This type of treatment can help with communication, emotional expression, emotional regulation, problem solving, and processing events, crises, and traumas.

Quick Facts:

• In addition to English, I speak both Spanish and Portuguese.
• Advanced training and certification in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (pcit.ucdavis.edu).
• Professional member of IAMFC.
• I am currently finishing my Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Science from Virginia Tech.

I have 28 years experience working with children, families, adults, and couples of most every "variety". My current focus is individuals who have managed to survive all those earlier journeys and now find themselves navigating new territory (retirement, changing work environment, "empty nest", declining health, care giving, grief and new opportunities). My goal is to help you recognize the wisdom, strength and determination you've already developed in order to live your best and most meaningful life in the present.

This work usually involves understanding how lifetime triumphs, "mistakes", losses and traumas have shaped and enhanced who we are in our older years. Appreciating our resilience and nurturing our health, positive connections and potential for lifelong growth help inoculate us from the hazards of ageism, loneliness and depression.

I will listen to you, respect you, and respect your experiences. I will help you find and appreciate those unique treasures hidden within you. We can explore options and possibilities. You will decide how and if you want to use them.

I completed my B.A. degree from National University in psychology before starting my master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at North Central University. My previous experience includes helping families with mental illness and disabilities as an intensive case manager as well as helping individuals with drug and alcohol use. I am also pursuing my certification in alcohol and drug counseling. I strive to use my previous experiences to learn how to best serve children and families. As a student therapist, I work under the supervision of Dr. Julie Ramisch. We meet weekly for supervision.

I am here to help you get started at Coastal Center for Collaborative Health. I am also here to answer any questions you may have and to help you check in for your appointments.

I can also help you with locating and accessing resources as well as improving specific life skills.

I look forward to meeting you!