It is an honor to be here with you! I believe that we all have something valuable to give to others, and most importantly, to ourselves. When life becomes overwhelming, we often tend to lean into the messages we receive from the world around us. Messages that we are “incapable,” “less than,” “too much,” etc. keep us from living a wholehearted life and in relationship with those who care about us most. As an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, I am passionate about helping clients identify those messages from a place of curiosity and self-compassion, while also empowering them to discover their inner truths, regardless of what they are able to achieve or accomplish. I hope to help my clients learn to grow gently through the peaks and valleys of life, finding resilience and connection as they navigate the challenges and triumphs of the seasons they encounter.

I so enjoy supporting parents of young children as they navigate the ups and downs of early childhood. As a new parent myself, I am constantly amazed and humbled by the journey that is parenthood, which comes with its own set of mixed emotions and experiences. In my clinical work with parents, I work from an attachment-based, interpersonal, neurobiological framework. This perspective helps my clients consider the role of early and current relationships as a support for resilience and parenting styles, as well as understand how our brains are inherently wired for connection. This is especially valuable when working with parents who are seeking support with behavior management, emotion regulation challenges, and relationship difficulties within their families. I believe parents are the experts in knowing their children, and my role is to help bolster the strengths that are already present – providing validation, encouragement, and additional skills to practice while they build healthy and connected relationships with their little ones.

In working with young adults, I utilize a person-centered approach to address challenges that come with this particular stage of life. I enjoy supporting clients as they transition into early adulthood, navigate family changes and dynamics, and explore their identities and values. I also incorporate mindfulness, self-compassion, and creativity to increase insight and provide tools to work more effectively with issues such as anxiety, depression, and perfectionism. 

I am a Marriage and Family Therapy Associate working under the supervision of Monica Valdivia Aguilar, LMFT 41352. I have a Master of Sciences in Marital and Family Therapy from Fuller Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in Intercultural Communication from Pepperdine University. My degree in Intercultural Communication provides me with a skill set to approach prospective clients from a culturally sensitive and multi-dimensional understanding. I also have advanced training in Child-Centered Play therapy with a neuro-relational emphasis, and I’m pursuing additional training to become a Registered Play Therapist. My clinical interests include anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, perfectionism/achievement, self-esteem, parenting support, mindfulness, and LGBTQ-affirming therapy.