As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) I bring a wide breadth of life and work experience to my practice. I am drawing from 41 years of marriage to a pastor, a mother of 4 amazing adult married children with their families including 5 incredible granddaughters in addition to assisting 3 aging parents in their 90’s.  Throughout my career, I have addressed complex issues such as church splits, burnout and infidelity betrayals. I’ve sat with individuals experiencing deep grief and loss ranging from natural death, suicide, miscarriage, loss of adult children, careers, divorce, and a myriad of other challenges posed by today’s cultural landscape. I am committed to guiding individuals, couples and communities through healing processes that promote restoration, understanding, and connection.

Concentrations of Therapy Focus:

Trauma:

Trauma, which means “wound,” can stem from distressing experiences from personal crisis events, family brokenness, or work-related incidents that often leave deep emotional scars. Traumas left unattended to can have serious negative impacts on our mental and emotional stability as well as the health of our relationships. Through a type of therapy called EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), I have helped clients process these traumas, enabling them to heal and reclaim their sense of self consistent with who they want to be.

 In addition to EMDR, “Internal Family Systems” (IFS) is a therapeutic model that is highly effective in addressing trauma and its fracturing affects from wounding. Clients often feel more empowered as they learn how to foster confidence and control over their lives.

 Relationships:

My advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) empowers me to assist couples and families in building meaningful connections and enhancing communication. Emotion Focused Couples Therapy is based on creating an experience of meaningful love and connection that is a “felt sense of closeness”. I believe at our core we are looking for secure bonds or connections with each other—a place where we can find comfort and support, a place of belonging. To be connected is to be stronger, more resilient, not to be “immature or weak”.  

 Addiction/Recovery:

I also specialize in addiction and recovery, focusing on issues like substance use, compulsive behaviors, and sexual behaviors which often lead to further injuries of infidelity and betrayal. I recognize the complexities of addiction and its impact on both individuals and their loved ones, and I provide support for those caught in these harmful cycles.

 Conflict Resolution:

 I am certified in conflict resolution and court mediation, which provides skills in helping clients navigate difficult conversations and find constructive solutions. 

 Summary:

Research confirms again and again that secure connection with others improves physical health, immune systems and impacts our mental health and how vulnerable we are to anxiety, depression, and other forms of mental illness. I am passionate about providing a safe and supportive environment for healing, connection, and personal growth. Whether you are dealing with trauma, relationship issues, addiction, grief, or life changes, I am here to support you every step of the way.

 Education

MA Marital and Family Therapy – Loma Linda University

 BS, Sociology– California Baptist University

Specialized Training + Experience

• EMDR Certified  (Levels I, II) — Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing — a specialized therapy that can help alleviate the effects of traumatic and distressing life events and trauma wounding that results from childhood and adult experiences.

• Advanced trained in EFT Couples Therapy (Levels 1-4) – Emotion-Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), is one of the few research-validated therapies helping couples and families strengthen relationships and build stronger connections.

• Internal Family Systems (IFS) trained — addressing trauma and its fracturing affects from wounding. 

• Certified in Mediation - Court certified in divorce and conflict resolution/mediation skills.