My Approach
I offer a holistic approach grounded in the idea that the mind and body work together to create optimal health. Having practiced dance therapy for many years, I know that taking care of the body is crucial for emotional wellbeing. I also know that staying attuned to one’s mental state is necessary for keeping the body in ideal health.
I work with my clients to build a therapeutic relationship based on trust. We collaborate to create a lifestyle that is healthy for the mind, body and soul. Working this way helps me honor the individuality of each person who walks through my door. I never assume two clients are exactly alike based on their diagnosis and recognize that each person’s conflict is unique to his or her situation and life story. I always meet my clients where they are, regardless of their socioeconomic background, lifestyle or situation in life, and never allow them to feel like a pupil being lectured to by an authority figure. In my office everyone is treated as an equal.
Therapy with me doesn’t just happen in the office. In addition, I work off-site when necessary. In the past I have supported clients as they made the decision to enroll in rehab, helped eating-disorder patients cultivate a healthy relationship with food in restaurant settings and have coached adults who are struggling on how to practice life skills necessary for surviving in the real world.
If you’re feeling stuck in life and don’t know where to turn, or even if you just want to share your experience and ask questions about my practice, please call me at 949-215-0612. I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation and would also be happy to schedule an appointment. In addition to traditional weekday hours, I offer evening appointments. I’m a Spanish-speaking therapist and offer Spanish language therapy sessions in addition to English.
Theraputic Modalities
Drawing from a diverse set of therapeutic practices, I tailor my approach according to your unique personality, situation and needs. During sessions I can be direct and firm, but also nurturing and reassuring. I work hard to build a relationship of trust, and I create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment in which you can feel comfortable opening up about your innermost worries, fears and frustrations, all while cultivating a sense of healing and resiliency.
In my practice the modalities used include, but are not limited to the following:
Expressive Art Therapy
The use of art, music, dance and singing to express and process feelings in a therapeutic setting.
Dance Therapy
The use of dance, movement, and rhythm to create change on a physical, emotional, neurological and spiritual level.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
This is a skills-based treatment that was originally trademarked by Marsha Linehan. DBT is the use of cognitive behavioral constructs to regulate emotions, improve interpersonal effectiveness, learn to have distress tolerance and how to be mindful.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
This is a therapy based on the idea that if you can change your thoughts, you can change your beliefs and eventually your behaviors or actions.
12-Step Practices
The 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, Alanon, CODA, etc. all relate to the concept that there are things beyond our control, that a power greater than ourselves can help the recovery process and can be used to let go of those things beyond our control. The 4th step is a moral inventory of ourselves where our own fears, resentments, guilt and shame are identified and can be worked through so that they no longer hold us back.
Attachment Theory
This originated with John Bowlby and May Ainsworth and identifies the relationship between early attachment with primary caregivers and how that relates to current relationships.
Schema Therapy
An integrative approach that brings together elements from cognitive behavioral therapy, attachment and object relations theories, and Gestalt and experiential therapies. It is used to break maladaptive patterns of perceiving the world such as the idea that no matter what I do, there is always something wrong with me.
Adlerian Psychotherapy
Based on the teachings of Alfred Adler. This modality focuses on the idea that personal defects can be used as strengths, looking at the person wholistically and the concept that people want to be part of a community.
Specialties
My specialties include treating Eating Disorders, Relationship Problems and Codependency Issues. I also work with adults struggling to recover from Childhood Trauma.
My short-term goal is for you to better manage anxiety, replace negative coping mechanisms with positive coping skills and establish a support system among friends, family members and the community. Hopeful long-term outcomes include working through past traumatic experiences, resolving personality issues, better managing anger and codependent behavior and cultivating a healthy sense of self-worth.
My sincerest hope is that you will make a deep, internal transformation that allows for healthy relationships with friends, family members and romantic partners. I can also help you learn to value yourself for your unique gifts and wisdom and to start living life with a renewed sense of possibility and hope.