As a therapist my approach is derived from a lifetime of experiences, my formal education, and my desire to continue to challenge myself to grow. In this way, I continue to evolve so that I  understand best how to work with my clients.  

The path that I took to becoming a therapist, and a specialist in women’s issues has taken many twists and turns. For some time in college I wasn’t sure what I was interested in studying, until I found and developed a passion for the study of psychology, more specifically, the ways in which people learn and grow in response to their culture, and how this shapes our behavior.

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in this field and later completed my Master’s degree in Psychological Counseling. Now, I am an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor and help women achieve a healthy relationship with themselves and others.

After college and while raising my two beautiful children, I worked for fifteen years in the public school system as a Behavioral Therapist. I coached and mentored children and teens with Autism, ADHD, and other behavioral difficulties in adaptive-behavioral and academic skills. I have also coached parents, because children don’t come with “how to” manuals and the job of parenting often feels thankless and unrecognized.

I have learned a great deal about ADHD and Autism, particularly how varied the the traits can appear depending on a person’s age, gender and cultural background. I also came to recognize some significant similarities between my own struggles and those of my clients who had ADHD, and at fifty-three I was diagnosed with ADHD.

Prior to all of this I spent years teaching women’s self-defense and became a certified rape crisis counselor. I was called to this because I am a survivor of sexual assault and because I am passionate about counseling and helping people move through trauma. Women’s Issues have become a specialty of mine because I have a personal understanding about many of the struggles specific to women, and the significant growth and change that an effective emotional support system can make.

I am a trained therapist with a Master’s of Science Degree in counseling and am a Registered Associate Clinical Counselor with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (#16291). I specialize in offering individual psychotherapy to women who are seeking emotional support and help with women’s issues. I am happy to work with you either in-person or online if you are a resident of California.

My office is located in Newport Beach where I am employed and supervised by HeleneMickey Wilson LMFT, Ph.D. (#49203), through The Art of Guiding Healers.