A woman with dark hair wearing a beige dress with a brown belt, smiling at the camera on a beach during sunset.

Maybe you’ve been holding off on starting or returning to therapy. 

You feel ready to take this step to beginning treatment and you feel stuck or unsure where to start. 

I hope to create a welcoming and collaborative space where you feel supported and understood. I approach therapy with warmth, transparency, and genuine curiosity. It would be an honor to be a part of your healing journey towards gaining insight and leading a more fulfilling life.

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We might work well together if:

  • You are navigating a recent breakup or divorce.

  • You are returning to work or school.

  • You are looking for support in managing daily stress.

  • You would like to hold healthier boundaries with others.

  • You are seeking a stronger relationship with yourself, your partner(s), family, and friends.

  • You are grieving the loss of a loved one.

  • You notice unhelpful patterns in your life.

  • You recognize how your childhood experiences impact you.

  • You seek a better understanding of yourself.

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My Story

I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. I am the eldest child of Filipino and Salvadorian immigrants. My healing journey could have started sooner. I became more willing to learn about myself as a teenager. I was introduced to a support group, which became a safer space to explore my identities and relationships. I considered a career in teaching during college. I later shifted my focus after getting to know the valuable work of medical and mental health social workers via family members needing their support and advocacy. While working in an administrative role, I was inspired to pursue social change after witnessing the profound impact of social injustices on mental health and overall well-being.

I have participated in various forms of mental health treatment over time (individual, family, group, and couples). I understand and know the power of being seen and validated. It's scary and empowering. It has led to much growth within myself and in my relationship with my loved ones. I continue to navigate my healing journey through individual therapy.

I am based in San Diego County, where I provide online short-term and long-term psychotherapy to clients residing in California.

More About Me

  • I earned my Master of Social Work (MSW) from Smith College, my Master of Public Health (MPH) from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and my Bachelor of Arts (BA) from University of California, Santa Cruz.

  • I have 13 years of experience working in mental health. Social work is my second career.

  • I received training and have experience in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT). I am working towards certification in EMDR.

  • I am a first-year candidate in a two-year Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy program.

  • I completed a one-year Supervision Training Program at the Psychotherapy Institute (TPI) in Berkeley, California.

  • I have provided individual, triadic, and/or group supervision for associates and/or students in Veterans Affairs (VA), California Institute for Integral Studies (CIIS), The Psychotherapy Institute (TPI), private group practice, and a residential substance abuse treatment center.

  • Off the clock, I spend time with my twin toddlers, husband, and our elderly pitbull dog.

Professional Affiliations

  • The Psychotherapy Institute (TPI) in Berkeley

  • San Diego Psychoanalytic Center (SDPC)

  • EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)