I am a native Californian, originally from the Central Valley, moving to San Diego to attend Point Loma Nazarene University. There I found my love of Sociology and Social Work. I was excited to combine my passion for helping people with a long term career. After graduating, I became a Medical Social Worker for a local hospital, working mostly with patients in the Emergency Room, Intensive Care Unit, and Med-Surg floor. After that, I moved on to refine my management and leadership skills in the Skilled Nursing world.  After earning my Master's degree in Counseling, I took a position as an acute care social worker in a locked intensive care psychiatric unit. There I gained extensive knowledge of chronic mental health issues, addictions , codependent behavior patterns, legal issues in behavioral health, as well as cognitive-behavioral and solution focused therapies.  In 2013,  I found my niche counseling individuals, couples, and groups on a full time out-patient basis. I have also worked hard to promote the growth of Integration - a relatively new approach to combining mental health and primary care medicine, decreasing stigma and increasing access to care.

I have been active in the community over the past 20 years, volunteering with American Cancer Society,  working with the SDPD Crisis Intervention Team, serving as an adjunct professor for PLNU’s Master of Clinical Counseling program, and teaching dance to kids/teens at multiple studios. My true joy and fulfillment these days, however, is finding my own balance and spending as much time as I can with my family.

LMFT 51898