I have a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology and have also received professional training, certifications, and over a decade of extensive experience in the following areas of clinical focus: * Anxiety, depression, and mood disorders * Reactions to trauma (PTSD) * Substance use disorders. * Codependency. * Couples counseling * Family therapy * Group therapy * Interventions for addiction I have extensive training and experience working with adolescents, adults, couples, families, and groups. I am the Evening Out-Patient Family Therapist at the Alta Bates Hospital ("MPI") Chemical Dependency Treatment Center in Oakland, CA. At MPI I have provided education and therapy to hundreds of clients and their loved ones. I am also a trained Drug and Alcohol Interventionist and facilitate effective interventions throughout California. I am on the Board of Directors for the Bay Area Psychotherapy Training Institute (BAPTI) and serve as the Director of Continuing Education.I provide individual therapy, marriage counseling, and family therapy. I am also a drug and alcohol intervention specialist, and run groups for recovery from addiction and codependency.

THERAPY APPROACH

I bring both empathy and expertise to address your concerns
in each session and I believe that a therapist should be a trustworthy confidant, experienced guide, and trained healer.

I offer a caring, supportive, results-oriented therapy working within models of therapy that have been validated by science to be effective.

I use "best practices" clinical interventions that are supported by empirical evidence including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness and Acceptance Commitment Therapy. When working with couples I work within the therapy model developed and evidenced by leading marriage and relationship researcher Dr. John Gottman.​

​I have experience working with adolescents, adults, couples, families, and groups.

I genuinely respect and prize clients of any race, religion, gender, gender identification or sexual orientation.

CODEPENDENCY GROUP THERAPY

This group offers you the chance to find what has been emotionally missing in life, feel good about obtaining what you want, and develop tools that help you form and maintain more healthy relationships.

In this group you will:


• Identify and strengthen healthier boundaries

• Learn to confront and resolve conflict

• Detach with love from rescuing or dependent behaviors

• Focus on your dreams and passions while finding a stronger

sense of self

• Gain the support of others who are working on similar issues


Didactic and process are balanced in this group which is open to men and women 21 years old or over.


Meets on Wednesday nights at 6pm.

ADDICTION GROUP THERAPY

This professionally facilitated therapy group offers you the chance to deepen your recovery from dependence on alcohol, drugs, food or addictive behaviors of any kind. Together we'll help you find a more balanced, fulfilling, and peace filled life while reaching your higher potentials.


In this group we:


• Gain the support of others who have "been there" in

addiction

• Learn relapse prevention and other skills that strengthen

your recovery

• Practice becoming more mindful and in the present moment

• Find meaning in life and commitment to act more

congruently with what we really value


Didactic and process are balanced in this group which is open to men and women 21 years old or over who are seeking to sustain a recovery.


Meets on Thursday nights at 6pm

INTERVENTION- An effective way of helping those who do not want help . Hope for the chemically dependent and their families.


When someone you love is suffering from drug addiction or alcoholism your whole world can feel out of control.

Their predictably unpredictable behavior causes chaos in every area of their life and yours. Relationships, finances, work, school,

physical and emotional health are all impacted. And while our loved one remains chemically dependent, our own emotions can range from great fear that they are in peril, rage at their sometimes inexplicable and hurtful actions, and despair that things might never get better. Often these feeling combined with confusion and exhaustion make it difficult to take meaningful action.


Meanwhile Chemical Dependency is a progressive medical illness with a neurological basis - left untreated addiction only gets worse and over time results in increased loss of function, decline in physical health, accidents, and even death. But you need not watch, wait for your loved one to "hit bottom," or continue to feel powerless to help. Even those who do not want help can be helped, and things can and many times do get better. The first step to recovery often starts with an intervention.


I have worked with hundreds of individuals suffering from chemical dependency and thousands of family members of chemically dependent persons for over ten years. I use my education, certified trainings, and extensive experience working at both addiction treatment centers as well as my own licensed family therapy practice to compassionately help families get their loved ones back.


Together we initiate and sustain change while participating in a one of several effective intervention processes that is right for your situation. When working with your loved one, I will apply the types of approaches, communication, and intervening actions that help the chemically dependent decide to enter treatment.