Offering Therapy In-person in Santa Monica, California, or Online

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT #85366), providing psychotherapy to individuals, young adults and groups. My approach is a blend of person-centered (Rogerian) style with somatic psychotherapy. My longstanding meditation and yoga practice also informs my work.

I received my bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Vermont in 1986 and a Master of Education in Counseling Psychology from Boston University in 1988. My favorite class in high school was Introduction to Psychology, taught by Dr. Marcia Strongwater.  Dr. Strongwater spoke with a soft voice, explaining complex concepts using language we could all comprehend. Sometimes she shared personal experiences from her childhood with us and encouraged us to talk about ourselves. I loved her class and she inspired me to study Psychology in college at The University of Vermont.

After college I attended graduate studies at Boston University where I obtained my master’s in counseling psychology with an emphasis on Counseling Women. Although I enjoyed school and my internship, I wasn’t quite ready to settle into a career as a psychotherapist, I was in my early twenties and wanted to try something different. A friend suggested Human Resources management, and I started working in that field which evolved into a 20-year career in technology for Human Resources, HRIS. I was responsible for managing teams that implemented HR software systems for large companies.

During my time in the corporate world, I sought refuge in my daily meditation practice, yoga, running, cycling; I needed to be outdoors as often as possible. I loved my work, but as I continued to climb the corporate ladder, the conditions became more stressful, and the work was no longer fun. I dreamed of returning to the world of Psychology, but I wasn’t sure how to make that happen.

In 2010 during a break from an unusually challenging project, I went on a yoga retreat in Costa Rica. The time away was just what I needed to gain clarity; I came back from the retreat revitalized and ready to change careers. I returned to graduate school and earned a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University and after 3,000 internship hours and two grueling exams I obtained my license and started my private practice.

Meditation and exercise are still foundational aspects of my life. Meditation helps me stay focused during sessions and yoga keeps me connected to my body. Sitting in a chair all day makes me crave the outdoors. Sometimes I will go for a run, take a hike or walk my dog.  Walking my dog in the morning and listening to the sounds of the birds sets the tone for my day.

The focus of my post-graduate training has been in somatic therapy modalities. In my experience as a client and a practitioner there is absolutely no separation between mind and body, when our nervous systems feel regulated, we feel most like ourselves. I feel privileged to be able to do this work and to help my clients increase their capacity to feel their feelings, especially the sense joy and vitality that comes from being present.

MY AREAS OF SPECIALTY INCLUDE:

• Trauma

• Addictions

• Adult Children of Alcoholics

• Anxiety

MODALITIES/HOW I WORK: