About Me

A native of northern California, I went to college at UC Davis, where I triple majored in African-American Studies; Philosophy and Socio-Cultural Anthropology. While the intellectual curiosities of my youth led to a brief stint at Harvard Law School, my volunteer time spent working for a mental-health hotline in Boston soon revealed that I had a much stronger interest in the cognitive than the constitution. 

Alas, my passionate interest in the ideological and emotional constructs that shape our lives took me down the path of many travels and adventures. I am happy to say that these experiences lead to over a decade of work in nonprofits, human services, higher education, and eventually - my calling as a therapist. 

Therapists have a diverse array of intellectual backgrounds and licenses, but my own academic training in therapy stems from my Master's degree in clinical social work, a paradigm that attracted me for its ideological commitment to demanding we as clinicians affirm the inherent dignity of all people, no matter what they've done or where they've been. With that said - I am clearly a big lover of psychology, and currently teach a college course in the subject when I am not working with clients or discussing theory with Dr. Ahrendt.

In our sessions - our focus will be on you and your own experiences, but I hope you take comfort knowing that my academic background and lived experience have honed a well-seasoned body of skills and knowledge. In my many travels, both inward and out, I have known little as fulfilling as decades of work spent listening to and connecting with people. Know that when you come to see me, you will be met with as much openness and curiosity as you are empathy and experience. And know always that I will hope and encourage the best for you, with good humor and honest joy. 

Here’s looking forward to our journey together :)

My approach

I believe that the first step to really helping someone is to embrace them as good, and there is no quicker way to do so than to let someone be understood on their own terms. 

My approach to therapy is influenced by research asserting that the therapeutic relationship between the client and therapist has a much bigger impact on client outcomes than the specific theoretical approach used. For me - a successful therapeutic alliance is born out of an atmosphere that is honest, intellectual, well-humored, creative and most of all - collaborative. The goals and approaches we embrace in our sessions will thus be something that we decide on together, and my focus will be on making sure your feedback and needs are driving the choices we make.

 I take a narrative, psychoanalytic approach. What this means is that while I see pain, conflict, and trauma as a part of everyday life, I believe the root of the suffering is not the occurrence of these things, but rather the conscious and subconscious meaning that has been given to them. A meaning that too often does not originate with us, and does not serve us in our journey to live a fulfilled life.

I work particularly well with those who are curious and interested in a deep intellectual and emotional analysis of their relationships with others. Clients who meet with me can expect a goal-oriented environment characterized by warmth, directness and encouragement.