Biography

Photo by Kat Tuohy Photography

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  I graduated summa cum laude from Louisiana State University in 1996 where I earned my degree in English Literature and Political Science.  I worked in the entertainment industry for 12 years before returning to graduate school.  I received my Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in child studies from Antioch University Los Angeles in 2011. 

I completed 3 years of clinical training at Airport Marina Counseling Service (AMCS), a non-profit community clinic in Los Angeles, where I had the opportunity to work with a diverse group of clients, experiencing a wide range of issues.  In addition to working with individual adults, I completed a 1 year training program in working with families and a 1 year training program in working with couples. 

While at AMCS, I had the privilege of doing therapy out in the community.  I provided therapy for students at Westchester High School for the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 school years.  In addition, I worked for 1 year with children and adolescents at the Boys and Girls Club in Venice.  Upon completion of my training at AMCS, I interned in a private practice in Beverly Hills for 1 year.  

In 2013, I completed a 1-year training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy at The Institute for Contemporary Psychoanalysis in Los Angeles.  In addition, I trained and became certified as a Grief Specialist through the grief support and training organization, Our House.

I recently graduated with a doctorate in psychoanalysis from The Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis after completing a 4 year program utilizing a tripartite model of coursework, 3 control cases, and a training analysis.  

Currently, I have a private practice where I specialize in working with adolescents and adults with depression, anxiety, trauma related to sexual and physical abuse, and grief and loss.  I also work a lot with professionals in the entertainment industry.


                                                                       My approach

People come to therapy with different needs and goals.  With this in mind, I tailor my approach to fit each unique individual.  My initial goal with all my patients is to build a safe, therapeutic alliance in which you feel free to express and experience your feelings, needs, and desires without fear of judgement.  This means we will spend some time getting to know one another and building rapport. 

As we get acquainted, we will work collaboratively to understand the issues with which you are struggling.  This may mean examining significant life experiences that have shaped the way you understand and relate to the world.  We will look for and identify patterns of experience and ways of relating that you have outgrown.  We will also work together to identify your needs, feelings, and desires and help you to express them to the people in your life.  In addition, therapy will provide a place where you can experiment with new ways of relating to others within the safety of the therapeutic relationship. 

When needed, I will provide specific tools to cope with more immediate issues, such as panic attacks, phobias, constant worry, or stress.  I also provide referrals to other professionals, including psychiatrists, dietitians, or school psychologists, who can provide additional adjunctive services if together we feel it necessary to help you achieve your therapeutic goals.