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About Me

Background & Family
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I grew up in the Midwest and moved to California for my undergraduate studies. After that, I lived in San Diego for 11 years before moving to Florida to be closer to family. I love sunny California and Florida and enjoy visiting Colorado when I need an escape to the mountains. I treat patients virtually from all over CA, CO, and FL. I am a proud wife of a Navy Veteran and mother to our two fabulous kids. In my spare time I enjoy traveling, photography, and scuba diving. When I'm not doing the work that I love, I can be found at the beach, at the farmers market wishing our avocados in Florida were California caliber, or walking the nature trail with my family. 

Education
Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy, University of San Diego, 2009
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology/Anthropology, University of Redlands, 2005

License
I hold licenses to practice in California (LMFT52192), Colorado (MFT.0002465), and Florida (MT4820). 

Certifications
I am certified as a PREPARE/ENRICH counselor, an empirically-supported program for pre-marital therapy and marital enrichment.

Training
I completed my clinical training at UCSD Family & Sports Medicine where I focused on helping patients with chronic illnesses or other health-related challenges manage the stress and difficulty such problems created for them. My experience working with physicians/health care providers makes me uniquely qualified to treat mental health problems with consideration to their physiological origins. Before that, I completed internships at Patton State Hospital working with incarcerated patients in the rehabilitation clinic and also in various couples counseling centers and homeless shelters in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. 

Because I love working with couples, I also sought additional training in sexual dysfunction, anger management in relationships, recovering from infidelity, and ways to improve communication in couples. I've worked with research organizations to develop treatment curriculum for anxiety disorders, which I specialize in. I've also helped conduct clinical research on infidelity recovery so we can advance treatment methodologies in that important field.  

In 2014 I joined the clinical team of Brisas Recovery and Wellness Center in La Jolla, where I ran groups and provided therapy for adults seeking substance addiction treatment. The clinical services of Brisas moved to Riverside, but I am so thankful I was able to be a part of the development of such a great treatment program! I have a strong background in the treatment of addictions, including those involving eating, sex/pornography, substances, and gambling.  In a nutshell, I'm a nerd who loves learning and helping others from all backgrounds and abilities. 


Professional Memberships & Activities
I am a clinical member of the California Association of Marriage & Family Therapists .
I am a guest speaker/lecturer for the University of San Diego graduate School of Leadership & Education Sciences.
I volunteer with Give An Hour organization, which offers no-cost counseling to military families and volunteered for several years with Operation Stand Down in San Diego to help homeless veterans.