Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Valencia, CA

Clients often describe me as warm, approachable, and easy to talk to. I aim to create a supportive and engaging space where you feel safe to be emotionally open, while also bringing a sense of ease.

At the core of my style is curiosity. I’m drawn to the “why” - why we feel, think, and respond to life the way we do. I take a holistic and at times existential approach, exploring not just immediate challenges, but the deeper patterns, life transitions, and questions of meaning that shape your experience.

I draw from a wide range of personal and professional experiences, including working directly with and overseeing a large and diverse group of clients. This allows me to adapt different techniques and perspectives to support growth, insight, and lasting change. Throughout the process, I remain thoughtful, engaged, and focused on what will be most helpful for you.

I am a compassionate and client centered therapist who works with individuals facing a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and life challenges. My approach is collaborative and strength based, focusing on helping clients develop insight, coping skills, and confidence to create positive change. I have experience working with concerns such as substance use, anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. I believe treatment should be practical, respectful, and tailored to each individual's goals. My goal is to provide a supportive environment where clients feel empowered to take steps toward a healthier and more fulfilling life.

Have you been overwhelmed with trying to navigate through the ways you show up in your relationships with others, making you question your own self-identity? The goal is to help you navigate through these feelings/emotions with self-curiosity and compassion. I want to help hold space for my clients to explore these new tools through self-discovery.

Have you ever heard the saying "the mind is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master?" Many people find themselves caught in patterns of thought that feel automatic and hard to step away from. Rather than trying to eliminate these thoughts, we change how you relate to them. This happens in two main ways. The first is through mindfulness. Not mindfulness as meditation or yoga, but as intentional awareness of your patterns of thinking and feeling. The second is values, meaning what matters most to you and what you want your life to stand for. These values serve as a compass to guide your decisions.

My clients tell me I am extremely non judgemental, empathic and very safe to talk to. I also work directly WITH you to set your desired goals and what you want from your therapy. One of my joys is to help my clients learn how to be their individual authentic selves complete with confidence, clarity and calm.

I am a full-time professor of psychology and a licensed therapist for over 10 years. I have a doctorate and two master's degrees so you see psychology is my passion!