Grief counselors and therapists in San Mateo, CA

My goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable, heard, and supported. I am open-minded, easy to talk to, and strive to build genuine connections that make therapy feel more like a conversation than an interview. Many people describe me as someone who feels familiar, like they’ve known me for years. I believe in using humor, collaboration, and practical strategies to help navigate life’s challenges while honoring each person’s culture, experiences, and values.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive experience in trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and long-term psychotherapy. I work primarily with adults navigating anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, identity concerns, and the lasting impact of trauma.

My professional background includes service in military and veteran-support settings, as well as work in community mental health, medical and hospital-based environments, and outpatient therapy. This breadth of experience allows me to support clients across a wide range of life circumstances—from acute stress and major transitions to deeper, long-term personal growth.

My practice is grounded in a collaborative, nonjudgmental approach that integrates evidence-based and relational therapies. I believe therapy works best when clients feel supported, understood, and appropriately challenged, with the goal of not just symptom relief, but meaningful, lasting change in how clients relate to themselves and others.

I've been doing this work for 18 years, and the thing I hear most from new clients is some version of: "I wasn't sure therapy would work for me." I get it. Finding the right fit matters — and I think fit has a lot to do with feeling like your therapist actually understands where you're coming from. I offer therapy in both English and Spanish, and I bring a genuinely culturally informed perspective to the work. I see adults navigating anxiety, trauma, grief, depression, family conflict, ADHD, identity questions, and relationship stress — across communities that are often underrepresented in mental health care. I'm direct when that's useful, patient when it's needed, and warm throughout.

I’m someone who truly listens and strives to meet each person exactly where they are. My style is adaptive, reflective, and flexible. I bring authenticity, compassion, and a good sense of humor into my work because I believe that laughter and honesty can be just as healing as insight. I was inspired to become a therapist by my own desire for the kind of support I would have wanted, and I aim to offer that same understanding and care to my clients. People often describe me as warm, genuine, and empowering. I am someone who helps them feel deeply heard and supported while encouraging growth in meaningful ways.

You may be seeking support in moving toward a more preferred version of yourself, your life, and your relationships. You may be questioning important facets of your identity, or wondering how to locate and uproot the seeds of painful and complicated emotions. Perhaps you are curious about navigating a different type of relational structure with your loved ones, or you may be feeling stuck with a particular challenge in the way you connect to others. My role as a therapist is to provide support and facilitate insight that will allow you to work toward your personal goals.

I have a Masters in Clinical Psychology from Azusa Pacific University with Specialisation in Marriage and Family Therapy, a Bachelors in Psychology, Honours Bachelors Degree in Education (post grad) in School Guidance and counseling, Mediator and Divorce Mediator Certificate,SAT Teacher Certification and EMDR Certificate (Emdria)