Not all storms come to disrupt your life, some come to clear your path.
- Paulo Coelho
My Story
I understand how powerless it can feel to manage mental health struggles or see someone you love having a challenging time. I’ve encountered these experiences myself (yes, believe it or not, therapists are human too!), which is why I feel so connected and invested in this line of work.
I didn’t know it at the time, but I was incredibly anxious growing up due to the abusive nature and lack of stability in my home environment. Oddly enough, even though I was hurting so badly, I was extremely resistant to the idea of receiving outside help. If only I could tell myself then how empowering it can be to seek support from a therapist. Instead, I coped by dedicating myself to my academics and quickly fell in love with helping others through my volunteer work with special needs students.
Once I entered my young adulthood, I was determined to find a way to connect my academic world with my enthusiasm for helping others. While acquiring my BA in Psychology and minor in Applied Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, I worked in a variety of settings such as schools, day care centers, research centers, and hospital settings.
I continued on this path when I went on to obtain my MS in Marriage and Family Therapy from the California State University, Long Beach. Little did I know that this pursuit would not only teach me how to support others in their mental health journey but also make me directly confront my own emotional scars I tried to ignore. While my goal was to acquire a degree in order to do what I love the most - I gained so much more!
The path to healing is an ongoing process, but I am so fortunate to be able to turn a trying upbringing into something of positive value to share with others. While I may have a different story from you, I do know that feelings are valid and personal narratives can change. Light Minds Therapy is a healing space meant to help you transform problems into meaningful possibilities. Trust me - I know that reaching out for support is one of the hardest steps. If you are willing to share, I’d be honored to learn more about your story as well.
My Values
CURIOSITY, PLAYFULNESS, CONNECTION, BELONGING, ACCOUNTABILITY, CREATIVITY, ADVOCACY, AND AGENCY
WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE IN THERAPY
I embrace curiosity and playfulness as a road to a deeper connection. While I have done this work myself and have valuable clinical knowledge, I realize that every client has a different roadmap that has led them to this point and where they might want to go. I will hold space for you and/or your child’s unique story as we explore the ups and downs of everyday life and develop a plan to get you closer to your goals. On this journey, I may also add a touch of humor to our sessions. After all, laughter is the best medicine! Therapy should be a place of belonging and I encourage this through my strengths-based approach. Whether we believe it or not, we all have strengths! I also firmly believe that therapy should be a productive space given the investment (time and resources) you are making by taking this step. Thus, I hold myself accountable for utilizing my creativity when introducing credible interventions for growth and change. I feel it is my responsibility to act as an advocate for my clientele and empower them to build skills for self-advocacy as well as agency. I aim to be a grounding resource in helping my clients get unstuck and take the necessary steps toward living the life they want to live.
My Approach
While prioritizing the building trust and rapport, I seek to help my clientele better understand the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are keeping them stuck and preventing them from reaching their goals. My demeanor in therapy is collaborative, interactive, and warm. Therapy can be a vulnerable space to enter and I am here to cheer you on along the way.
I understand that therapy is not a “one size fit’s all” model. Thus, I make sure to alter my approach according to the unique needs of my clientele while remaining sensitive to their personal stories. Throughout my work with clients, I often call on my strong foundation in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and training in exposure and response prevention (ERP), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mindfulness, play therapy, and supportive parenting for anxious childhood emotions (SPACE).
I offer telehealth services for those located in CA and currently see clients for in-home therapy sessions in the following areas:
Santa Monica, Los Angeles, CA
Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA
Bel Air, Los Angeles, CA
Beverly Glen, Los Angeles, CA
Westwood, Los Angeles, CA
Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA
Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, CA
If it sounds like I could be a good fit for your needs, I’d love to get connected and welcome you to the Light Minds Therapy family!
