"Follow your bliss. Find where it is, and don't be afraid to follow it."
~ Joseph Campbell
"The Power of Myth"
I am a licensed marriage and family therapist, certified professional coach and certified anger management provider. The journey that led me here involved me following my bliss, as Joseph Campbell so eloquently put it, and I hope I can help you find your own bliss. I love my job and would be honored to have the chance to work with you.
In The Beginning
I started out my career as a professional writer, first as a journalist, then a corporate communications specialist working for many of America's largest companies. Although I made good money and enjoyed writing, the profession certainly didn't feed my soul as the years passed.
However, while working as a young journalist, I had caught a glimpse into my "bliss." I wrote an in-depth series of articles about the chronically mentally ill, and I became transfixed by the world of psychology. At the time, it didn't occur to me to pursue a career change, so instead I did various types of volunteer work related to psychology. One of the most interesting situations was volunteering at Metropolitan State Hospital, a locked psychiatric hospital for people with severe mental health problems.
In the 1990s, I took on a life-changing volunteer assignment: I became a paraprofessional counselor for the nonprofit agency Pasadena Mental Health, where I was trained to work one-on-one with individuals and couples facing major challenges. I absolutely fell in love with the work and knew I had found my calling, so I decided to take the plunge and change careers.
Back To School
At that point, I returned to graduate school at Pepperdine University to earn an advanced degree in clinical psychology. After that I completed a 3,000-hour internship, passed two arduous licensing exams and achieved my dream of becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist.
When deciding what to specialize in, I acknowledged that personal relationships really were my passion. Over the years, I have attended numerous training programs to expand my skills and knowledge specifically related to relationships. I also earned certification as an anger management provider, since anger rears its ugly head in many relationships. I am also a certified professional coach and often weave coaching techniques into the therapeutic process to help my therapy clients make meaningful life changes.
In addition to my academic training and clinical experience, I bring to the table many life experiences – joy and sorrow, birth and death, connection and loss. Although my experiences are very different than those of the people I work with, I do understand on an intimate level the kinds of strong emotions associated with love relationships.
Working together, I believe you and I can find solutions to your most pressing relationship problems. In the process, you should gain deeper self-insight and learn new tools for experiencing the joyful, healthy life and love you deserve.
License and Certifications
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, State of California, License #MFC42747
Certified Professional Coach
Certified Anger Management Provider
Education
M.A., Clinical Psychology, Pepperdine University
B.A., Communications, California State University, Fullerton
Memberships
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
