Qualifications & Experience

I have a BA in Sociology with Minors in Music and Psychology, an MA in Clinical Psychology, and a PsyD in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Children and Adolescents. I have ten years of experience in the mental health field.

I spent five years working at Orange County Health Care Agency, where I gained experience working in multiple settings with children who have experienced complex trauma, incarceration as youth, gang affiliation, eating problems, depression, anxiety, trichotillomania, foster care, and human trafficking, self-harm, running away, ADHD, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse.

I spent the other five years working with adults in multiple settings treating depression, anxiety, pain management, trauma, health problems, substance abuse, identity problems, self-esteem, adult ADHD, parenting difficulties, relationship problems and more.

My Call to Christian Counseling

I never dreamed of being a Psychologist until God paved the way for me to become one to help His beloved children. Every turning point in my life since the age of six was God’s hand showing me His grace, mercy, and love for His people and the need for Christian Psychologists.

More About Me/On a Personal Note

I love spending time with my children, drawing, painting, writing music, playing the flute, dancing, going camping, and hiking. I also love to try new adventurous things, travel, and discover new places.

Areas of Expertise/Specialties

• Abandonment and Neglect
• ADHD
• Aging and Geriatric Issues
• Anger Management
• Anxiety
• Bipolar Disorder
• Chemical Dependency
• Coaching
• Counseling for Children
• Counseling for Teens
• Couples Counseling
• Codependency
• Depression
• Eating Disorders
• Family Counseling
• Grief and Loss
• Group Counseling
• Individual Counseling
• Infidelity and Affairs
• Lifespan Integration
• Marriage Counseling
• Men’s Issues
• OCD
• Online Counseling
• Personal Development
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Premarital Counseling
• Professional Development
• Psychological Testing
• Relationship Issues
• Sex and Porn Addiction
• Sexual Abuse
• Spiritual Development
• Trauma
• Weight Loss
• Women’s Issues

Counseling for Children and Teens

Working with children and teens is an entirely different experience compared to adults. They require an authentic and genuine person who can provide patience, love, compassion, and flexibility to their needs. No two children are alike and they all need a specialized treatment plan tailored to them. No matter what your child has experienced, it is not the event but how they interpret, internalize, and cope with the event/s. With God as a foundation, your child will learn new coping skills, process, and understand how they have internalized the event/s, and gain God’s loving interpretation of it. This way your child can have a positive internalization and positive coping skills in response to not only these events but also future events that may arise. It is important that children have a safe place with unconditional positive regard where they feel they can turn to whenever they need.

“But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found” (Luke15:11-32).
“Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

Trauma

Trauma is unique because many people may have experienced the same event, but the way they experience that event can be completely different. It is important to not just cope with the event that is causing triggering reactions, but also to revisit your past and understand where these responses came from and how to accept and view those events through God’s eyes. No matter how much trauma you have experienced, God is an amazing God and these experiences are what make you the amazing child of God you are today. Many people have fear and anxiety of not being able to cope or revisit the past, which is why you will learn positive coping skills first as we plan your personalized treatment plan together.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).

Chemical Dependency: Alcohol, Substance Abuse, and Addictions

Addictions are our worldly way of maladaptive coping with unresolved trauma, pain, disappointment, or hopelessness. It is important to know that you are God’s child and he has created you with a purpose. Avoiding, numbing, or self-medicating is only keeping you from your true purpose and God’s promises to you. Connection has been said to be the opposite of addiction, and true connection not just with your family and friends but also with God is vital. Yes, dealing with that unresolved trauma, pain, disappointment, and/or hopelessness is part of the treatment. But many people have fear and anxiety over not being able to cope or revisit the past, which is why you will learn the skills to cope with that fear and anxiety first.

When you are ready, we will explore the past. Many times people try to jump right into the past and it causes more relapses, pain, and disappointment. A relapse is nothing to be fearful of, for God’s grace is never-ending.

“But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light” (Ephesians 5:1-21).

ADD/ADHD: Attention-Deficit and Hyperactivity Difficulties

These difficulties are difficulties with executive functioning and many times if left untreated, symptoms of depression, anxiety, loss of motivation, low self-esteem, isolation, defiance, or problems with school, work, or legal entities develop. No matter where you or your child are in life, an understanding of executive function, learning tools to help, as well as coping skills will make a world of difference. Together we will explore the difficulties occurring and how it is affecting your life and/or your child, and we will create a plan with a consistent routine to help.

“With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God” (Mark 10:27).

Grief and Loss

Whether you are experiencing the loss of a person, pet, dream, or even knowledge that your own life might be ending soon, every person goes though different stages at different times. There is no set amount of time or set amount of times you can visit any stage in grief and loss. Each person’s perspective on grief and loss dictates their reaction. If you are claiming Christianity as your faith or want a Christian perspective, we will discover the meaning of life and afterlife together. Positive coping skills and processing the loss from a godly perspective will help you find God’s peace, love, and acceptance in these struggles of life.

“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

Sessions: I offer 53-minute sessions. Sessions can be held more than once per week, weekly, or every other week. Scheduling options are discussed in greater detail during your Risk-Free Initial Session.

Availability (by office location):

• Irvine – Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays

Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for children, teens, adult individuals, and families looking to pursue counseling with me. Please note that there is a fee for the Risk-Free Initial Session as it is a clinical hour and reimbursable to most insurance companies, but if you choose not to reschedule and continue therapy after the initial session the entire fee for the session will be waived. For ongoing treatment the full fee per session is required at the time of service.

Insurance: As a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PsyD), most insurance companies will reimburse for a portion of my services (as an Out of Network Provider). Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover adolescents, individuals and couples.

Receipts/Statements: In the event you require a printed or digital receipt, I will provide receipts for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).