Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Huntington Beach, CA

I treat psychological difficulties with a compassionate, yet results-oriented approach. When someone suffers from a medical disorder, a comprehensive assessment of the problem is required in order to obtain an accurate diagnosis. If the diagnosis is incorrect, treatment will repeatedly fail. As a diagnostician, my focus is to treat people, many of whom have been non-responsive to previous psychological / medical treatment, in this same way. Only with a correct diagnosis will treatment be effective. Once determined, goals discussed, a treatment plan in place, the therapy begins. With time and work, individuals grow to experience enhanced emotional health, freedom from the emotional angst and suffering that previously existed, improved relationships, higher levels of consciousness, psychological insight, a stronger identity of oneself along with interpersonal and professional contentment.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a background in fine art and over 20 years of experience working closely with creatives. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and grounded in helping individuals navigate trauma, anxiety, life transitions, and personal growth. I believe therapy is a space for self-discovery, healing, and meaningful change.

My work centers queer and transgender preteens, teens, and adults, as well as individuals with current or past foster care involvement. My clients may be feeling overwhelmed, questioning their identity, or don't know where to start with therapy. I can support you by helping you notice patterns and build trust in your own process.

I am a double board certified (in Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine) adult psychiatrist.

It takes real courage to take this first step toward prioritizing your mental health, and I want to honor that. Beginning therapy can feel vulnerable, unfamiliar, or even intimidating, and I understand that. Maybe you’ve spent a long time in survival mode, developing ways of coping that helped you get through hard experiences but may no longer serve you. That can show up as disconnecting from yourself or others, struggling with boundaries, or carrying a story about yourself shaped by cultural or relational expectations. Wherever you are, we can start exactly where you are.

Growing up, finding your footing as a man, or learning how to show up for your own kids can feel like you are supposed to already have the answers. I work mostly with men: fathers adjusting to a new chapter, young adults sorting through identity and anxiety, and couples trying to reconnect. After two years in practice, I keep seeing the same thing: admitting something is wrong is rarely the hard part, figuring out what to do about it is. That is where I come in, helping you build a clearer, steadier way forward.