I am a strengths-based therapist who primarily uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help my clients achieve their goals. I have experience helping patients reclaim their lives from depression, anxiety, and significant stressors. I especially enjoy working with women and young adults to help them learn to overcome barriers to a meaningful life.
MSW - Social Work, California State University, Sacramento
I became a mental health professional because I grew up around folks experiencing struggles due to mental health and stress related to poverty. As I began my undergraduate education, I knew I wanted to help others, and I loved learning about mental health.
I love spending time with my family, reading (I'm a librarian in an alternate universe), exercising, doing yoga, and seeing live music.
Exercise is the most beneficial thing I do to support my well-being.
I have read The Kingkiller Chronicles more than once because a) those books are so good! and b) there are so many little details that I catch on my re-reads. Crossing my fingers for the third book to come out someday!
My favorite organizations are the organizations that provide emergency mental health services without involving police. Police presence typically exacerbates mental health emergencies, so I love any organization that provides alternatives.
I recharge by spending time with family and friends. The people I love and can laugh with bring me back to life when I'm struggling.
I have two dogs, Karate and Rogue. I like to tell Rogue's story because she was a street dog with a long road to us. I read her paperwork when we adopted her, and she was initially taken into a local shelter for 30 days, where she was completely hairless due to mange. They helped her heal, but she was not adopted, so she was given to vet students for practice for non-invasive procedures. The students were in a program to adopt the dogs, but she was bullied by her student's dog, so she was given to a rescue. We ran into her at a rottweiler rescue (she is not a rottweiler!) we let her play with Karate, and they hit it off right away. She has been a member of the family since and only occasionally escapes to hang out with the neighbors.
If you or someone you know is experiencing an emergency or crisis and needs immediate help, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Here are some additional crisis resources.