My clinical work with people is embraced with utmost reverence, compassion, and kindness. Journeying beside and guiding individuals, couples, and families as they traverse the vicissitudes of life are sacrosanct to me. Therapy can serve to enhance an existing, dynamic life; encourage self-reflection; and/or heal unresolved wounds. Within the safety and ambience of the therapeutic relationship, karmic situations can be explored; generational patterns resolved; and relational issues enhanced.
Growth in consciousness throughout a lifetime is of paramount importance, for how painful it would be for a person to lament a life lived without inner growth. Our innate, unique gifts are often paradoxically our nemeses, and serve as our intrinsic sense of happiness. This conundrum is ripe for exploration in the ambience and safety of the therapeutic relationship. It is the balanced expression that may ultimately prove fortuitous. Becoming aware, vibrant creators of our lives; exploring our inner worlds; understanding life at a deeper level; and creating solutions for the mundane problems with which we all struggle are topics that can be gently explored in therapy.
It is incontrovertible that we are living in challenging times that invite us to personally grow in awareness and consciousness. I believe that we are multidimensional spiritual beings having human experiences. The personal journey in consciousness involves the healing of the heart, soul, mind, and body. Such healing and integration serve to illuminate our genuine selves and brighten our inner spiritual light, a light that illuminates our true essence as soul. It concurrently envelops our practical experiences as human beings.
Psychodynamic, Transpersonal, Existential, and Mindfulness perspectives are theoretical orientations that I embrace within my clinical work. Guided healing meditations; the exploration of mystical experiences; dream work, both in the dream state and in the recognition of daily waking dream symbolism are part of my clinical repertoire. These techniques are inextricably intertwined with the working through of the concrete challenges that we experience, to include relationships difficulties, life crises, life transitions, finding meaning and true calling in life, healing repetitive patterns, trauma, bereavement, anxiety, and depression.
Attachment theory, and by extension, the interconnectedness and relationships between people are of significant focus. As a systems-oriented therapist, I enjoy working with individuals intra-psychically, and within the context of couples, families, and groups.
I am licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in the states of Virginia, California, Colorado, and the District of Columbia, and as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the District of Columbia. Throughout my career, my passion for teaching has been expressed in the development of clinical curricula and academic courses; developing and teaching a peer counseling program for adolescents; embracing the role of Adjunct Faculty at San Francisco State and at California State University, Hayward; and holding the position of Clinical Director of the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies: Licensed Professional Counselor Program at Regis, University in Denver, Colorado. I have enjoyed public speaking at conference, workshop, and grand round settings; and have humbly traversed a clinical career spanning over 30 years.
My immense love for the ocean and her sentient beings; hikes in the pristine silence of nature; and love of literature have rejuvenated my being.
Specialties
- Anxiety Disorders
- Depressive Disorders
- PTSD/ Complex Trauma
- Grief & Loss
- Interpersonal Relationships
- Life transitions & Stress
- Couples Issues
- Spirituality and Vitality
