About Me

​I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist with over 20 years of experience working with children and families. I provide child/adolescent therapy, parent counseling/coaching, and family treatment. My approach is rooted in mindfulness, compassion, and play.

My true passion is working with children and families.  It brings me great joy to partner with my client families and share in the growth of those I work with. 

I began my journey to becoming a child therapist many years ago.  Considering a career in early childhood education, I began working at a childcare center.  I fell in love with working with children, and I began learning all I could in order to support their growth and development. It was then I realized the importance of the parent-child relationship, the value of positive discipline, and the power of play.

I went on to become a LCSW and Registered Play Therapist. My clinical work has always been focused on children and families. Play Therapy, Parenting, EMDR, and Mindfulness are core components of my work with children and families.

As a parent myself, I have the honor of practicing mindful parenting with my own children, and I will be the first to admit that I am challenged on a daily basis. While parenting is greatly humbling, I also see it as a place to experience profound growth.  I come to my work with parents from a place of empathy, compassion, and above all - absolute imperfection. 

Memberships & Professional Activity

California Association for Play Therapy, San Diego Chapter

Association for Play Therapy 

Postpartum Health Alliance

Earliest Relationships Network: Providers Supporting Early Childhood Mental Health

California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists 

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Appearances

I was a guest on the Parent Savers podcast to discuss "Building Confidence in Kids." Listen to the episode here. 

License/Certification

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) 
LCS26576

Registered Play Therapist (RPT)
T-1763

Advanced Training

8 Phases of EMDR Therapy with Children and Adolescents: Integrating Play Therapy Techniques,
Play Therapy Community

EMDR Basic Training,
EMDR Institute, Inc.

Mindful Educator Essentials,
Mindful Schools

Mindfulness Fundamentals,
Mindful Schools
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Play Therapy Certificate, UCSD Extension
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​Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), UCDavis

Advanced Training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Chadwick Center

CBT for Youth and Adolescents, Behavioral Health Education and Training Academy


Education
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Master of Social Work (MSW), 2007
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), 2001
​Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Areas of Focus

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• Anxiety and Depression
• Attachment
• Behavioral Issues at Home and/or School
• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
• Early and Middle Childhood (ages 0-12)
  
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Grief and Loss
• Military Families
• Mindfulness and Mindful Parenting
• Parent-Child Therapy and Parent Counseling
• Play Therapy
• Postpartum Mood Disorders
• Trauma