Menopause practitioner (NAMS & IMS) I am a counselor, mental health and wellness coach and menopause practitioner in California. My counseling and coaching practice is rooted in positive and health psychology with a commitment to evidence-based practices. I employ an integrative wellness approach focused on validation, affirmation and acceptance of my clients’ experiences, feelings and presenting issues. I work with adult women and couples who are seeking help to deal with a variety of complexities and overwhelm. I help clients identify strengths, feel understood and valued. Together we create lasting positive change and healing. Many of my clients are confronting adrenal and hormone-related issues or chronic diseases coupled with challenging and stressful lifestyles. Some are approaching or have entered mid-life with the common complaint being “my life feels unmanageable, I’m overwhelmed. I feel crappy and I feel stuck”. With holistic approaches to optimize cognitive, emotional and physical health I help my clients feel more empowered, informed and hopeful. Professional experience Private womens wellness and peri/menopause practitioner- health & wellness coaching, counseling, educating, functional lab testing & interpretation (2016- present) Private counseling and integrative health and wellness coaching practice in California and North Carolina (2016- present) Digital behavioral health coaching (Headspace- 2021-2023) College professor and curriculum/content developer (California and North Carolina. 2004- to 2020) Areas of focus Women’s holistic wellness, Hormone- related challenges and chronic conditions, Peri/ Menopause, Coping with Grief, Loss and Bereavement, Parenting, Launching adult children, Caregiver stress, Relationship challenges and communication Modalities MBCT (Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy) Strength-based approach, Motivational interviewing, Functional medicine approaches- Integrative nutrition and functional lab testing and interpretation, current evidenced-based menopause holistic care Education information BA: Psychology and French (Cal State University, Dominguez Hills) MA: Health and Counseling psychology (NYU and The New School for Social Research) Credentials INHC- Integrative Nutrition Health Coach (IIN- since 2019) Board Certified Holistic Health Coach (AADP- since 2019 #225403909) National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBHWC- since 2020 ID A-313384) Menopause Practitioner Member (The Menopause Society *formerly NAMS* and International Menopause Society *IMS*- since 2023) |
LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER I am a licensed psychotherapist in California, Alabama, and Florida. My specialty is helping adults, couples and families with natural life transitions, alleviating stress and anxiety, mood instability, overcoming addictions, and healing trauma. Through precise diagnostics and evidence-based clinical interventions, I help people step into their personal strength, optimal mental health, and overall emotional wellbeing.Our human condition is one that requires guidance and compassion. Helping adults elevate out of depression, endure immense grief and resolve tragic losses are among the most common services I provide. With each of my clients, I create a safe space where thoughts and feelings can be explored without fear of judgment. Starting the therapy process, switching therapists, or returning to therapy after a period of time can be challenging. To be vulnerable is to be courageous and to do this often requires help. My skills are designed to help my clients achieve a sense of personal power and to have a more consistent state of peace and joy. I do this with a variety of methods. I tailor my model of therapy based on the clients’ needs and individual goals, allowing authentic growth and sustaining mental health. Often simply identifying goals can create immediate shifts in how we think, in turn changing the way we feel. Whether the therapy is brief and efficient to push toward immediate mobility, or the therapy is instead a more long-term plan, depends on my clients’ needs and desires. I am available to help you with your future and therapy process. Professional experience Private practice psychotherapist. clinical supervisor, therapeutic and curriculum program developer. Additional organizational positions within outpatient and inpatient Addiction and Mental Health treatment facilities in Northwest Florida (Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, Navarre) 2000-2010; California (Hollywood, Malibu, Ventura, Santa Barbara) 2010-2024 Additional areas of focus Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Existential Therapy, Jungian Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Internal Family Systems Education information BSW: University of West Florida MSW: Florida State University License information CA LCSW 60943 (Since 5/2014) AL LICSW 5256C (Since 2/2023) FL LCSW SW8735 (Since 3/2007) |
