SPECIALTIES & TRAINING

Every therapist comes from a unique perspective based on education, training, life experience, and passion.  

Here's some information on my additional training and perspective that influences our therapy work.  

Education and Licensure

Bachelor of Arts, Psychology

Azusa Pacific University

Master of Arts, Clinical Psychology,

Azusa Pacific University

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Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

MFC52757

California Board of Behavioral Sciences

I'm trained in Family Systems theory, which looks at:

• Thinking, emotions, behaviors, faith

• Relationships that influence you (past and present)

• Surrounding community, environment, and culture

​and how any or all of these can affect your mental health during the time of treatment.

Included in this type of treatment is:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Bowenian 

• Object Relations

• Structural Therapy

• Attachment Theory

Check out this article on family systems theory to give more information: 

The bottom line:  We'll work to identify barriers to using your strengths, community/culture, and relationships to find healing.  

 Treatment Specialties

BETRAYAL FROM A SPOUSE OR PARTNER

Multidimensional Partner Trauma Model

Completed Training

The Association of Partners of Sex Addicts Trauma Specialists

This treatment focuses on the spouse or partner of a sex addict, who can experience symptoms of trauma as a result of betrayal and cheating in a relationship.  Check out the book "Your Sexually Addicted Spouse: How Partners Can Cope and Heal" by Barbara Steffens, Ph.D. and Marsha Means, MA for more information on partner betrayal trauma. 

"Sex addiction and compulsivity is an issue being encountered within all clinical treatment settings. The wounded and betrayed partner or spouse is, in many settings, the primary patient/client seeking effective assistance and treatment. Over the past several years, there has been a move toward utilizing a trauma perspective in treating the traumatic impact of sex addiction upon the partner or spouse. This is the essential difference from the historical sex addiction models that emerged in the 1980s."

(www.apsats.org)

COUPLE'S THERAPY

Gottman Method Couples Therapy

Completed Levels I and II

The Gottman Institute

The Gottman Method for Couples helps with:

• Developing and improving the "friendship" in your relationship

• Finding antidotes to the "Four Horsemen" (criticism, defensiveness, stonewalling, contempt), styles of conflict or avoidance that create resentment in a relationship

• Building (or rebuilding) fondness and admiration between partners

ADOLESCENTS AND FAMILY

Positive Parenting Program

Teen TripleP

Trained and Certified

Engaging parents into the therapy process with your teen, so that we can address adolescent anxiety and depression from a family perspective.  I meet with parents and teens in a supportive, non-judgemental process to address stressors for both that may be contributing to mental health symptoms.