Make positive changes in your life.
Call me now at 760-972-7194
Welcome! I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) and a Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LAADC) in the State of California. I practice patient centered care with a focus on recognizing the hopes and dreams of each individual seeking help in their life. My intention for each of my patients is about guiding people away from the traps of shame and fear to a new freedom of acceptance and love of self as they regain a sense of authenticity in today’s world.
Over the past 25 years I have dedicated my professional life to helping people regain a sense of balance and wellness in their life. My private practice specializes in serving the needs of individuals seeking relief from disruptive anxiety and depression. My professional experience includes extensive rewarding work in the mental health field with a focus on the needs of individuals with a history of mental health and addiction issues. I have worked in the for-profit and non-profit sector of the behavioral healthcare industry and understand the needs of individuals seeking relief from the problems that have disrupted their lives.
I have an extensive background both in inpatient and outpatient settings treating a wide spectrum of mental health and addiction issues. If you are part of our LGBTQ community, an older adult challenged by adjustment, a professional seeking discreet and confidential service, then my private practice is for you. My goal is to address each of your needs with compassion, care and the expertise that my extensive background brings to the therapeutic process. I am committed to providing a place of safety, healing and opportunity. My office is conveniently located in downtown Palm Springs with free parking and accessible access if needed. Palm Springs is a destination city known for the beautiful winter weather, majestic views of the mountains and many opportunities for ‘snowbirds’ who seek out the desert to escape the winter months. I also offer short-term services for visitors who need brief solution focused therapy to enhance the quality of their stay in the desert.
Counseling is a journey of self-discovery. Through counseling, the therapist and client work together to explore the client's inner world. The goal is to increase self awareness and facilitate change in the client's life.
My approach to therapy with you is a collaborative exploration of the discovery of maladaptive patterns relating to self, significant others, family, and others. I am a client-centered therapist and will work with you to experience a more meaningful life with an increase in positive feelings and balanced living.
Credentials of MFT and LAADC by visiting the links to
www.mft-license.com and www.ccapp.us
Therapy helps with achieving goals, finding purpose, reducing depression, managing anxiety, and solving relationship problems
LGBT Issues
Palm Springs and the surrounding community support a beautifully diverse and eclectic living environment for the LGBTQ community. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), the risk of a mental health condition such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder is almost three times as high for youth and adults who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered or questioning. This also applies to those with a sexuality that does not apply to any existing category. Data from The Trevor Project reported that suicide rates are significantly higher for our LGBTQ youth (10-24) and these individuals are twice as likely to abuse substances. Therapy focused on your specific needs is an important step to experience support, validation, and acceptance in your life.
Further reading:
https://www.mentalhelp.net/mental-health-in-the-lgbt-community/
Codependency
Codependency is a pattern of behaviors where one person has let another person’s behavior adversely affect their own personal sense of comfort, well-being and balance. A common understanding of codependency is the relationship between the addict/alcoholic and the people around them. You may be negatively impacted as evidenced by feelings of responsibility for other’s feelings, thoughts, actions, and choices. You may experience a need to control other’s behaviors. The attempts to control others often leads to feelings of despair and helplessness.
For further reading:
http://coda.org/
www.al-anon.org
Depression
National institute of Mental Health (NIMH) describes depression as a common but serious mood disorder. The symptoms of depression impact how you feel, think and manage the activities of daily living. NIMH further describes types of depressions persistent depressive disorder (lasting more than two years)and seasonal affective disorder (onset during winter months)
Bipolar disorder is also included in the NIMH list because someone with this disorder can experience extremes in mood that include periods of depression and irritability.
For further reading:
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression.shtml
Anxiety
The National Institute of Health (NIH) describe anxiety disorders as a prevalent mental health condition. Worry over relationship status, work environments, social settings can be overwhelming for many people. NIH statistics show 1 in 5 adults impacted each year by disabling feelings of fear, uncertainty, and discomfort that interfere with everyday activities. Persistent and chronic anxiety can raise the risk for other problems such as heart disease, substance abuse, and depression.
For further reading:
https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2016/03/understanding-anxiety-disorders
Group therapy
The purpose of group therapy is to help you better understand yourself and how you manage relationships and how you react to others. Many individuals find themselves isolated and anxious in their existing relationships. Maladaptive behavioral patterns can develop as an attempt to regulate distress and discomfort. The American Psychological Association explains the group therapy process as a way to experience relief to hear others discuss what they are going through and realize that you are not alone. Groups can specialize in anxiety, depression and substance abuse issues.
Individual Therapy
you may also hear therapy referred to has counseling or psychotherapy. Individual therapy provides you an opportunity to work on an individualized basis with a trained and licensed therapist in a safe, caring and confidential environment. I will listen to you, provide supportive insightful feedback and partner with you to focus more in depth on your concerns.