What I Believe

My goal as a therapist is to help you rediscover the strength and internal capacity you have within you to reach your preferred outcome. Although we can't change the negative experiences that have happened in the past, we will work together to better understand and resolve the underlying influences in your life. By utilizing various theoretical approaches and techniques, we will unearth long-standing (often unacknowledged) behavioral patterns and/or negative perceptions that may contribute to holding you back from enjoying a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

I deeply value the relationship that you and I will form as we work together. In fact, research shows that the power of this relationship is one of the most important factors within the healing process. I believe that when authenticity,  honesty, and empathy come together within the relationship we build together, you will have the greatest chance of reaching your fullest potential.

The greatest gift we can give one another is rapt attention to one another's existence
                                                                                                                  ----Sue Atchley Ebaugh

I have been working with people on a one-on-one basis most of my adult life. Accumulating more than 20 years during my career in the Dental field, I regularly sat and spoke to my patients before the Dentist came into the room. As a Registered Dental Hygienist, I held a "captive audience" during the patient's prophylaxis appointment. I would see patients every three to six months and in doing so, catch up on engagements, weddings, births, deaths, and developing milestones of numerous children. The transitions in people's lives fascinated me and definitely helped prepare me to become a Marriage & Family Therapist.

Transitioning out of Dentistry, I became a wife and mother, which lead me to learn about Love & Logic Parenting classes. I then chose to become a Facilitator for the Love & Logic Parenting Program. That choice further sparked my interest, leading me to become a Certified Parent Coach. From there, I embarked on my next step and entered Brandman University, where I graduated with a Masters Degree in Psychology.  When it was time for my internship to begin, I had the honor of joining an incredible group of people at The Place Within, a non-profit agency in Roseville, CA. 

During my internship, I attained specialized training with Prepare/Enrich (Couples), EMDR (Trauma), BrainSpotting (Trauma), and also become a certified Yoga Instructor (Trauma, Mindfulness, and Relaxation).

It has been five years of hard academic work (which also included two and a half years of attaining the required 3,000 supervised hours at The Place Within) and passing two rigorous state exams. Whew! 

As the mother of a teenager, I can say my life journey has been long and quite challenging! However, I can also say that because of my journey, which has been filled with moments of beauty and moments that were far from beautiful, I've learned who I am. I've learned that I have strengths and areas to work on, like everyone else. I've been there! I get it. 

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I would be honored to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with you during your unique journey. Together, we will celebrate YOU as you learn to stand on your truth, become who you were always meant to be, and strive to reach your fullest potential!