I am fortunate to be able to integrate many of my passions into my work as a psychotherapist. My love of psychology grew out of a fascination with people and a desire for personal healing. Cross-cultural living experiences during my adolescence and early adulthood broadened my frame of reference by exposing me to multiple realities, fostering my interest in synthesis and integration. I maintain my cross-cultural frame of reference through strong personal ties and frequent travel, and am fluent in German and Spanish, with working knowledge of French and Italian.
I have always turned to the arts, particularly writing, music, painting and dance, for enlivenment and inspiration (not to mention fun!). Pursuit of physical and spiritual well-being led me to the mind-body wisdom of yoga, a powerful source of energy. Mindfulness training in the traditions of Thich Nhat Hanh and Spirit Rock is also an essential source of restoration and guidance.
I am grateful for the privilege of being entrusted with details of people’s intimate emotional lives and feel immeasurably enriched by our work together toward healing and growth.
Education:
Master of Arts in Integral Counseling Psychology and Certificate in Expressive Arts Therapy, California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, 1997.
Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts in Translation Studies, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
Professional Experience:
| 2013 | Certification in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Re-processing) |
| 2012 | Certification in the Hakomi Method |
| 2004 to present: | Off-site supervisor and trainer for New Perspectives Center for Counseling, San Francisco |
| 1999 to present: | Provider for San Francisco County’s Foster Care Mental Health Program |
| 1999 to present: | Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice in San Francisco |
| 1996 to 1999: | Registered Marriage and Family Intern at New Perspectives Center for Counseling, San Francisco |
| 1996 to 1998: | Intern Counselor at French American International School, San Francisco |
| 1994 to 1996: | Relief Counselor at Huckleberry House, San Francisco |
Trainings Taken:
| 2014 | Changes and Transitions, with Phillip Moffitt, Life Balance Institute, San Rafael, CA |
| 2014 | Ongoing advanced consultation in EMDR with Laurel Parnell, Ph.D |
| 2013 | The Re-Creation of the Self, with Jon Eisman, Hakomi Institute of California |
| 2012 | Experiential Couples Therapy, with Rob Fisher, Hakomi Institute of California |
| 2011 | New Frontiers in Trauma Treatment, with Bessel van der Kolk, M.D., Institute for the Advancement of Human Behavior, Portola Valley, CA |
| 2010 | Transforming Trauma with EMDR: Advanced Applications, with Laurel Parnell, Ph.D., Alliant International University, San Francisco, CA |
| 2009 | Assistant at The Hakomi Method: Professional Skills Training, Hakomi Institute of California |
| 2007 | The Wise Heart and the Mindful Brain: Conference with Jack Kornfield, Ph.D, and Daniel Siegel, M.D., R. Cassidy Seminars, San Francisco, CA |
| 2006 | Responding to Life, Hakomi Institute of San Francisco, CA |
| 2006 | Critical Incident Stress Management: Basic Group Crisis, Intervention, UC Extension, Berkeley, CA |
| 2005 | The Hakomi Method: Professional Skills Training, Hakomi Institute of San Francisco, CA |
| 2004 | Ongoing Consultation in EMDR, with Laurel Parnell, Ph.D., San Rafael, CA |
| 2004 | Psychodynamic Treatment of Trauma, San Francisco, CA |
| 2003 | Transforming Trauma with EMDR, Level 2, with Laurel Parnell, Ph.D., Alliant University, Alameda, CA |
| 2003 | Individual Psychotherapy in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, with Shari Manning Behavioral Tech, LLC, San Francisco, CA |
| 2003 | Brief and Deep: Working Experientially with Couples, with Rob Fisher, MFT, JFK University, Orinda, CA |
| 2002 – 2003 | Ongoing Consultation Group: Relational Sandplay Therapy, with Linda Cunningham, Ph.D., San Francisco, CA |
| 2002 – 2003 | Ongoing Consultation Group: The Marriage of Expressive Arts Therapy and Jungian Theory, with Kate Donohue, Ph.D., R.E.A.T, San Francisco, CA |
| 2000 – 2002 | Ongoing Consultation Group: Object Relation, Self Psychology and Symbolic Process, with Linda Cunningham, Ph.D., San Francisco, CA |
| 2000 | Transforming Trauma with EMDR, Level 1, with Laurel Parnell, Ph.D., CIIS, San Francisco, CA |
| 2000 | Play and Art Therapy with Adolescents, with Linda Chapman, Ph.D., R. Cassidy Seminars, Oakland, CA |
| 2000 | Play and Art Therapy with Latency-Age Children, with Linda Chapman, Ph.D., R. Cassidy Seminars, Oakland, CA |
| 1999 | Special Issues in Play Therapy, JFK University, Orinda, CA |
| 1999 | Introduction to Play Therapy, JFK University, Orinda, CA |
| 1999 | Evaluation and Treatment of Couples: An In-Depth Workshop, Harris Seminars, San Francisco, CA |