What it’s like to be in therapy with me
Perhaps you’ve spent a lot of time in your head… overthinking conversations, questioning your decisions, and getting caught in the “what if?”. You may have a strong sense of what you’re supposed to want from life, while another part wonders “Is that actually what I want?” Maybe you’re questioning the traditional path and trying to make choices that feel more true to who you are. You want to create a life on your own terms, even if those choices don’t fit the usual mold you’ve seen.
Sometimes, the goal isn’t to do more, fix every part of your life, or optimize yourself. It may be about doing things differently so you can spend less time caught in overthinking, self-doubt, and patterns you’ve outgrown… and more time actually living. In our work together, we can slow down, get curious about the beliefs and patterns that are stealing your time and energy and explore what happens when you’re willing to step into the grey instead of needing everything to be clearcut. I’ll bring warmth, patience, humor, and compassion to our work. While also being honest and direct when I think a different perspective or gentle challenge could help.
These questions can also show up in the relationships that matter most to you. You may be trying to communicate with a partner or other important person without getting caught in the same cycle of conflict, stay connected while still trying to honor your own needs, or navigate changes in the relationship. We can make space for the different perspectives, histories, and expectations each person brings to the relationship while working toward greater understanding, more honest communication, and relationships that feel workable for everyone involved.
My hope is that therapy helps you trust yourself more deeply, loosen the grip of “shoulds”, and make choices that reflect what genuinely matters to you. Not a life that simply looks good on paper or fits someone else’s expectations, but one that feels fulfilling and makes you excited to be living it.
How I Work
I am curious by nature and I want to understand the details of your life. I will ask questions (sometimes a lot of them) because I believe the little things can tell us a lot about what you’re experiencing. I’m direct when it’s helpful, but I also believe therapy doesn’t have to be serious all the time. We’ll talk about difficult things (and when it feels appropriate) there may even be a little room for dark humor. Life can be heavy enough without having to take ourselves seriously every minute of it.
I’m here to be on your side and support you through the process, including moments when things feel messy, uncomfortable, or hard. Self-compassion is a bit part of the work because this stuff is hard! I want to encourage you along the way and celebrate the personal wins with you, whether they’re big milestones or small moments that may otherwise go unnoticed.
Early on in our work, we’ll spend time getting to know you and understanding what brought you to therapy, what you’ve been struggling with, and what you’d like to be different. As we work together, we’ll get curious about the patterns, beliefs, and experiences that may be shaping how you see yourself and navigate life. My role isn’t to tell you how to live or what should make you happy… it’s to help you discover what is genuinely important to you and create a life you feel excited to participate in.
Who I Work With
- People experiencing intrusive thoughts and compulsive patterns who are caught in cycles of rumination, reassurance-seeking, checking, avoidance, or trying to find certainty
- People navigating anxiety and stress who feel overwhelmed by worry, perfectionism, self-doubt, or the pressure to have everything figured out
- People struggling with low self-esteem or depression who may feel disconnected from themselves, stuck in self-criticism, or unsure of their own worth
- Individuals navigating multiple identities who may feel misunderstood, unseen, or perceived in ways that don’t reflect the fullness of their experience
- People healing from trauma or navigating life transitions and the ways these experiences can affect how they see themselves, relate to others, and move through the world
- Couples and other important relationships working through conflict, communication challenges, changing dynamics, disconnection, or differing points of view
My Training and Tools
My foundation is client-centered, psychodynamic, narrative, and cognitive-behavioral. This means we can explore how your past and experiences have shaped the way you see yourself and move through the world, while staying focused on what you need and want from therapy today. I tailor these approaches to the person in front of me rather than relying on a single way of working.
My clinical experience has also taken me into crisis, community-based, and residential settings. Working in these different settings have taught me to stay flexible and meet people where they’re at, recognizing that therapy can look different for everyone.
I have specialized training in working with OCD and use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), along with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based approaches. I also have lived experience with OCD, which has given me a personal understanding of how difficult this work can be and how meaningful it can be to learn a different way of responding to uncertainty and intrusive thoughts.
For couples, I have been trained in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. I draw on this training to help partners understand the patterns they get caught in, communicate more effectively, work through conflict, and navigate changing relationships. I also bring this perspective to my work with other important relationships, including between siblings and creative partners.
Across my training and experience, I’ve learned to stay curious and attentive to the whole person which creates space for the history, relationships, identities, and the environments that have shaped them.
Education & Background
- B.A., emphasis in Psychology of the LGBTQ Community — University of Redlands, Johnston Center for Integrative Studies
- M.A. in Clinical Psychology, LGBTQ-Affirmative Psychology Specialization — Antioch University Los Angeles
- Behavioral Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) — International OCD Foundation (IOCDF)
- Level 1 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy
A Little More About Me
I am a firm believer that we are the authors of our lives. I’ve participated in therapy throughout my own life and have experienced the value of having another perspective, especially someone who is willing to be honest about the difficult things, challenge me when needed, and help me live more in alignment with my values. Those experiences have shaped the kind of therapist I strive to be for my clients.
I also know what it’s like to be seen through other people’s assumptions rather than as a whole person. My own experiences have made me especially aware of how much there can be beneath the surface and how important it is to leave room for parts of someone’s story that may not be immediately visible.
Outside of therapy, I enjoy spending time with the people who matter most to me, my wife, family, friends, and in-law (Yes! I get along with them). I enjoy staying active through weightlifting, boxing, and recently surfing. I also love reading, live music and shows, and simple food done really well. And sometimes, there is nothing better than lounging around and taking a good 30-minute nap. I’m sure there are interests I have yet to discover and I look forward to whatever unexpected things capture my attention next. I truly value that life is meant to be enjoyed and I intend to do just that!