Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Antioch, CA

With more than 20 years of experience, I have helped adults, children, and families navigate life’s challenges and create meaningful change. I hold both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Social Work and believe there is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. I see therapy as a partnership, where you set the direction and I provide support, guidance, and encouragement along the way.

With over 20 years of experience in the mental health field, I am passionate about guiding individuals on their journey to balance, mindfulness and joy. Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of working with diverse populations and addressing a wide range of mental health challenges. This journey has reinforced my belief that each person's path to well-being is unique and deserves a personalized approach.

My passion is helping adolescents and adults realize healthy perceptions of themselves while developing resilient habits and lasting coping strategies.

I am a SF native with over 20 years as a clinician and director of multiple community based organizations and tech startups. Additionally, I am an avid Bay Area sports fan, professional photographer, aspiring globe trotter, and unabashed performer of dad jokes.

Therapy for women in their 20s and 30s, experiencing • anxiety • work stress/burnout • body image/disordered eating.

Do you feel stuck in patterns that no longer serve you? Maybe you’re a people pleaser who defaults into putting other people’s feelings and needs first. Or you’re experiencing burnout from trying to uphold perfectionist standards. Or you’re a high-achiever on the emotional rollercoaster of tying all your worth to your work. Or you want to stop stressing about what you eat and how much you weigh, but the idea of letting go of control is terrifying. I'd love to help!

My goal is to provide high quality client-centered care, utilizing a humanistic approach. I am focused on validating my client's life experiences and providing a safe and non-judgmental space to share. I also believe in holistic point of view and integrative care of body, mind, and spirit.

My clinical experience includes working with children, teens, and adults with many issues including: grief, work-related stress, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and neurodivergence (ADHD/Autism).

I believe therapy should feel like a space where you can finally exhale. I strive to create an environment that is supportive, honest, and free of judgment; a place where you feel truly seen and emotionally safe. My approach is collaborative and practical. I don’t just help you understand why you feel the way you do; I help you build real tools to navigate it.

I earned my degree from Cal State Fullerton and have extensive experience working in addiction treatment, eating disorder recovery, and women’s issues. Supporting women is especially meaningful to me. I am deeply passionate about helping women navigate challenges related to self-worth, body image, relationships, boundaries, life transitions, and identity. I understand how trauma, societal expectations, and relational dynamics can shape how women see themselves, and I approach this work with both compassion and clarity.

Together, we focus on strengthening mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and communication skills in ways that feel realistic and sustainable. I blend insight-oriented exploration with concrete strategies, because meaningful change happens when insight meets action. My goal is to help you better understand your patterns, feel more confident managing your emotions, and move forward with greater clarity, self-trust, and resilience.

There's a point where you've already tried to think your way through it. You've read things, talked to people, maybe even tried therapy before. And what you're carrying is still there, just underneath everything.

I work with adults navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, and the stretches where life stops making sense for a while. I also work with couples, specifically the moments where things break down and the longer work of finding your way back to each other. My background is unusual for a therapist: before this field I spent years as an English professor and academic dean, and I came into this work through music and filmmaking. That path still shapes how I practice. I especially enjoy working with artists, musicians, and anyone whose creative life and mental health are tangled up together.

Hello...thank you for visiting. I am a graduate of Pepperdine University's Masters in Clinical Psychology program with an MFT emphasis, and did my undergraduate studies at the University of California - Santa Barbara. I am also a member of the Psi Chi International Honors Society in Psychology, am trained in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and have experience working with a range of therapeutic approaches, including Attachment Theory, Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Family Systems, Positive Psychology, Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), and Mindfulness models.

In my therapy practice, I’m here to truly see you and meet you where you are. I offer research-based (read: effective with positive outcomes) therapeutic approaches for individuals, families, and organizations, with a focus on creating a space where you feel understood and supported.

Explore my debut book, Stones, Flowers and Lessons Learned available at https://stonesandflowers.myshopify.com/?country=US

With a Master's in Social Work (MSW) from UC Berkeley and a PhD from UCLA, along with over 15 years as a California Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I bring both depth and experience to our work together.

I have experience working with individuals struggling with their mental health issues. Through therapy, we can discuss the areas of support that need your attention.