Grief counselors and therapists in Oakland, CA

I have a deep commitment to seeing people flourish in relationship to themselves, and to others. For many of us, we have some sense of what makes relationships great and what makes them terrible. Knowing and experiencing what makes great relationships stronger, and what turns terrible relationships around, is where I can work alongside you. As someone who has been stepped in Attachment science, I love allowing for people to make more coherent sense of their internal world, to build or restore bonds with others.

I'm an interactive bi-cultural somatic expressive arts therapist who brings a lot of joy to the work she does, creating safety to address challenges people face. I offer a unique blend of person-centered, humanistic, transpersonal-oriented somatic-based Expressive Arts therapy and energy practices in German and English. I welcome a variety of clients across cultures, ages, lifestyles, and sexual/gender orientations.

Anxiety and perfectionism have turned your mind into a battleground. Your inner critic nitpicks every interaction, leaving you exhausted by thoughts of “Damnit, why can’t I just be better!” Painful memories get louder, no matter how hard you try to ignore them. Daily invalidations of your Latina, queer, or immigrant identity sting, and you feel isolated as you keep your suffering to yourself. You’ve tried everything: doom scrolling, drinking, and self-help books, but nothing has worked. You're left feeling hopeless and weighed down.

I have had over ten years of training in a variety of somatic therapy approaches. I received my BA in Anthropology at the University of Georgia, and a MA in Counseling Psychotherapy from California Institute of Integral Studies. I've published and presented internationally on themes of embodiment, culture, ancestral memory, and gender. My research on embodiment and culture was published in in the volume Moveable Gardens: Itineraries and Sanctuaries of Remembrance in 2021.

I’m a licensed therapist in San Francisco with over 15 years in private practice. I specialize in Eating disorders, body image and trauma and work primarily with adults who are exhausted by the cycle of restriction, compulsive eating, shame and self criticism and are ready for something to genuinely shift. My training includes, IFS, Somatic therapy, EMDR, CBT and Expressive Arts therapy, which means we will not only engage in supportive talk therapy, but also have real tools to work with. My clients often express that not only do they heal and find peace with food, disordered eating and body image, but they also become more able to feel and tolerate emotions and regulate moods, while building trust in their bodies and discover true hungers, desires and enhance creativity and vitality. This can lead to more ease and comfort in your own skin, with the potential of more meaningful work and healthy relationships.

I have found a calling that allows me to bring my full self – head, heart, and soul – to my work.

I found this calling after a fulfilling career in social services. In addition to working as a teacher, program manager, policy advocate, and peer counselor, I have also married, raised a family, coached youth sports, and pursued mindful self-care, creativity, and personal growth.

I earned my Bachelor’s in English from Harvard and my Master’s in Counseling Psychology from The Wright Institute.

I have experience working with a wide range of clients and disorders, ranging from children to older adults across various cultures and occupations. I focus mainly on helping clients through trauma, ADHD difficulties, and sexual issues.