Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Gardena, CA

Hello! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over nine years of experience helping individuals and families navigate life’s emotional challenges and difficult issues. Therapy can feel intimidating at first, but you don’t have to navigate the journey alone. I am here to support and guide you through a process that can be rewarding and beneficial towards growth, healing, and developing a deeper understanding of yourself.

I believe therapy works best when you feel genuinely heard, and that is something I take seriously. My professional experience working in healthcare, addiction, and homelessness has deepened my understanding of the complex social, cultural and systemic factors that impact mental health and well-being. I am an advocate for human rights and stand with those who have faced oppression, discrimination, and social injustice in a world that works against you.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California with a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University. Over the past 15 years, I have worked with a wide range of clients and have developed a practice treating substance use disorders, personality disorders, mood disorders, and executive functioning challenges. I am also trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and incorporate evidence-based techniques tailored to each client's unique needs.

Before becoming a therapist, I earned a Juris Doctor and an MBA, experiences that give me a unique perspective on the complex personal, professional, and life challenges many clients face. Whether you are struggling with addiction, anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, relationship difficulties, or feeling stuck, my goal is to provide practical tools, compassionate support, and a collaborative environment where meaningful change can occur.

I have been in recovery for over three decades. From that, I began a journey of providing support and listening to others. I engaged with a variety of populations, focusing on adolescents in crisis, seniors finding purpose in life, and in general, learning compassion about our human condition.

I create the tone and environment needed for that session.

I have an easy open communication style, creating rapport and safety. I can be direct when needing support through challenging issues. And I am embracing when needed. My focus is on your session.

I work with a variety of clients, from teens to seniors. I can address problem-solving and creating tools to manage mood. Process issues in life, and also address finding purpose in the stage of development.

I grew up in Southern California, with my undergraduate degree from Cal State Fullerton and my Master's in Social Work from University of Southern California.

I'm a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Life Coach, practicing under the direct supervision of Dr. Thomas Lucking. I earned my B.A. in Organizational Leadership from Chapman University and my M.A. in Holistic Counseling Psychology from John F. Kennedy University, where I also completed an Academic Certificate in Trauma Studies. Before becoming a therapist, I served in the United States Coast Guard, where I worked in law enforcement and search and rescue — that experience shaped my commitment to service, and as a veteran myself, I'm passionate about continuing to serve those who've served. I have a special interest in working with people who carry diagnoses of ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and those on the Autism spectrum — in this area I work under Dr. Lucking's direct supervision, since he's a published author, speaker, and expert in autism and neurodiversity. I also have a special interest in working with neurodiverse couples, particularly supporting neurotypical partners dealing with Ongoing Traumatic Relationship Syndrome, using Dr. Lucking's "Island of Shared Meaning" model to help bridge the gap these relationships often struggle with.

I’m a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience in mental health. I provide care in both English and Spanish. I enjoy helping people better understand their mental health and find treatment that works for them.

People come to therapy for different reasons. Sometimes something clearly isn't working. Other times, life may look okay on the surface, but you feel stuck, disconnected, or unsure about what you want next. I work with adults navigating anxiety, depression, grief, relationship difficulties, and major life changes, as well as those wanting to better understand themselves and the patterns that keep showing up in their lives.

My approach is warm, grounded, and curious. I’m interested in understanding what’s happening beneath the surface, including your thoughts and emotions, the patterns you've developed over time, and how your experiences show up in your body. Therapy can be a place to make sense of those experiences while finding ways to move forward that feel meaningful and true to you.

As a bilingual and bicultural therapist, I offer therapy in both English and Spanish. I strive to create a space where you can speak openly, feel understood, and explore your experiences in the context of your relationships, culture, identity, and the life you’ve lived.

I know how heavy life can feel when you’re carrying pain, uncertainty, or self-doubt. But I believe, as a wise old wizard once said, “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of places, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” My role is to help you find that light again. I work with Gen Z and Millennial adults facing anxiety, depression, trauma, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and more. Through integrative, culturally responsive care, I combine evidence-based psychiatry with holistic strategies to help you feel heard, supported, and empowered to create a life that aligns with your true self.

Hi, I’m a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of nursing experience. I provide thoughtful, personalized care for individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, ADHD, and other common mental health concerns. My approach is warm, respectful, and judgment-free — I believe real healing starts with feeling heard and understood. I work closely with each client to create a treatment plan that feels supportive, practical, and tailored to their unique needs.

My passion is for helping others get unstuck and flourish! The focus of my practice is geared toward helping you develop affirming responses and positive interpretations of what has happened in your life. I will help you have agency and integrity in the midst of a life transition or challenge that has you feeling stuck or out of ways to help yourself.