Grief counselors and therapists in Tustin, CA

I am dedicated to helping individuals make meaningful, lasting changes by developing coping skills that fit their unique life experiences. With over 20 years of experience in addiction treatment and mental health services, I bring a grounded, compassionate, and client‐centered approach to therapy. I believe that you know yourself better than anyone else, and my role is to support you in uncovering your strengths, healing from past experiences, and building a life that feels more balanced and fulfilling.

My specialties include substance use disorders, anxiety, PTSD, trauma, and co‐occurring mental health challenges. I am committed to helping clients improve their relationships, reduce stress, and strengthen their sense of self‐worth. I focus on the whole person—mind, body, and environment—because growth in one area naturally supports growth in all others.

While I am new to Headway, I have been practicing in various schools settings as a counselor for over a decade: supporting students and parents navigate, life, learning and loss of all types. Whether you or your child experience neurodivergence (such as ADHD, anxiety, autism, emotionality, sensory sensitivities, demand avoidance, etc.) or are struggling with social , work, relationship or routine daily demands, I am here to support you.

I tailor each session to meet the client's individual needs, personality, and strengths. Together, we'll build on your resilience, intuition, and inner resources while creating opportunities for growth, healing, and self-empowerment. My goal is to provide a safe, collaborative environment to make changes at your pace.

My passion is helping individuals find healing, balance, and inner strength. With compassion and care, I support clients as they navigate life’s challenges, building resilience, self-awareness, and emotional well-being along the way.‍I provide evidence-based treatment tailored to each person’s needs, drawing on mindfulness, trauma-informed approaches, and personalized care plans. My goal is to create a safe and supportive space where clients can reconnect with themselves and develop the tools for lasting wellness.

I have 10 years of experience working with children, individuals, couples and families to using a strength-based, systems approach. For couple’s I utilize Gottman-based approaches.

I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with experience working in community mental health, co-occurring substance use treatment, and residential care settings. I work with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use challenges, mood disorders, relationship stress, and major life transitions.

I believe therapy works best when clients feel heard, respected and supported without judgement. My approach is collaborative, trauma-informed, and tailored to each client's unique needs and goals. I draw from CBT, motivational interviewing, and strengths-based approaches to help clients build insight, emotional stability, and healthier coping strategies.

I subscribe to cognitive behavioral therapy, emphasizing the rational behavioral therapy modality. I hold a doctorate (EdD) in counseling and educational psychology from the University of San Francisco, where I also earned my Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy. I earned a Master's in Divinity from the Franciscan School of Theology at the Graduate Theological Union. I have been practicing since 1987 and am a seasoned therapist.