About My Work and Passion

As a clinical psychologist, I am dedicated to empowering youth through my work in adolescent mental health. I focus on mindfulness and social emotional learning, aiming to reduce mental health stigma. My experience as a professor allows me to teach graduate students and professionals in mental health, while my writing includes self-help books and fiction addressing these important issues. I provide psychotherapy to teens and adults, specializing in depression, anxiety, and trauma, utilizing various therapeutic approaches such as DBT and CBT.


Positive Aspects

+ Expertise in adolescent mental health, social-emotional learning, and mindfulness practices.

+ Clinical psychologist specializing in depression, anxiety, and challenges of neurodivergent youth.

+ Author of empowering YA fiction and self-help books for teens.

Challenges Faced

– Addressing the stigma surrounding mental health can be difficult.

– Developing healthy habits in our technology-dependent society can be challenging for teens and parents.

Experience

Education

  • CIIS–PsyD, Clinical Psychology
    • Dissertation–Trauma & Resiliency of Youth Exposed to Community Violence
  • Harvard University–MEd, Risk & Prevention
  • Fordham University–BS, Psychology

Training

  • Kaiser Permanente, Substance Abuse Treatment
  • Oakland Children’s Hospital
  • Community Health Awareness Council (CHAC)
  • Judge Baker’s Children’s Center-Harvard Med School

Professional Experience

  • Private Practice—Pleasanton & San Carlos, CA
  • National University, JFKU–Professor
  • Cal State East Bay–Adjunct Faculty
  • CIIS–Adjunct Faculty
  • Wright Institute–Adjunct Faculty
  • GDIT–Congressionally Directed Medical Research
  • Parent’s Place–Psychologist
  • Edgewood Center for Children–Clinical Coordinator