We do not grow absolutely, chronologically. We grow sometimes in one dimension, and not in another; unevenly. We grow partially. We are relative. We are mature in one realm, childish in another. The past, present, and future mingle and pull us backward, forward, or fix us in the present. We are made up of layers, cells, constellations.
― Anaïs Nin

Growth is not linear.

We are always growing, always changing, always becoming. Sometimes we regress and cling to old familiar ways of coping. This is normal and expected. But we can learn to rely less and less on old behaviors that no longer serve us. There are other ways of relating within our reach.

I am a psychotherapist who works in a relational, warm, empathic way to help you better understand yourself, your relationships, and your view of the world around you. From this increased understanding and awareness, you will have more choices in how you respond to difficult situations that tap into old painful wounds. And this is very liberating.

Whom can I help?

I specialize in helping people pleasers and those in helping professions who struggle with tuning into their own needs, burn-out, and healthy boundary setting; adult children grappling with the challenges that come with aging parents; grief and loss around break-ups and divorce; family estrangement; and empty-nesting. I also enjoy working with young and middle-aged professionals who are navigating big life transitions and decisions.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist working with adolescents, adults of all ages, and couples at my practice in Hayes Valley. My training includes CMPC Davies, RAMS, and Access Institute. I earned my undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley and my graduate degree from The Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA.

My primary theoretical orientation is relational psychodynamic. However, I also incorporate other styles and techniques depending on my client’s individual needs. These include somatic- and mindfulness-based interventions and trauma-informed treatment. For many years I worked as an interpreter for asylum seekers and am committed to working with culturally diverse individuals from all socio-economic strata.

I provide therapy in English, Spanish, and Portuguese (Brazilian).

My Approach

The kind of therapy I facilitate is relational, non-directive, and depth-oriented. Over time, the goal is to better understand your go-to coping strategies and ways of relating that are no longer very helpful and cultivate more awareness and choice in how you respond.

The therapy I provide is not brief. Depth-oriented therapy takes time, and you must be committed to weekly 50-minute sessions (in-person or remote) in order to reap the therapeutic benefits of our time together.

FAQ

  • I have a B.A. from U.C. Berkeley in Comparative Literature and an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from the Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA. 

    I spent 6 years working as an immigration interpreter in Spanish and Portuguese for the public defender, asylum applicants, and clients with other immigration concerns.

    I provided brief psychodynamically-oriented integrative therapy to patients at California Pacific Medical Center, Davies Campus.

    I completed a one-year postgraduate fellowship at Access Institute for Psychological Services where I was trained in psychoanalytically-oriented psychotherapy. 

    I worked as an in-school therapist at Glen Park Elementary School, SFUSD and George Washington High School, SFUSD.

    I participate in professional consultation groups and ongoing psychoanalytic trainings.

  • Individual sessions are 50-minutes long and $200.

    Couples sessions are 60-minutes long and $275.

    I reserve a limited number of hours for clients in need of a sliding scale fee. If these appointments are full, I can provide you with a referral.

    I do not currently accept insurance but can provide you with a superbill to submit to your insurance.

    Those covered by an insurance company with out-of-network benefits can receive substantial reimbursement for treatment, depending on the insurance company. Prior to your appointment, please inquire with your insurance company to see what your out-of-network coverage for mental/behavioral health services is. Call your insurance company and ask them the following questions:

    • Do I have out-of-network coverage for outpatient psychotherapy (CPT code 90834)?

    • What is my deductible, and have I met it yet?

    • What is my coinsurance (% that your insurance company will pay after your deductible has been met)?

    CANCELLATION POLICY:

    The effectiveness of treatment is dependent upon consistent attendance. I do my best to offer a consistent meeting time each week. Since your appointment time is reserved exclusively for you, my cancellation policy is one week. In other words, if you cancel within one week of the appointment time, you will be charged for the full fee of your session. However, if we are able to reschedule a session for another time within the same week, you will not be charged a cancellation fee. I understand that sometimes unforeseeable events occur, so you may reach out to reschedule a session with as little as 24-hours notice. Be aware that rescheduling a session depends on my availability, and if I am not available, you will be liable for the cost.

    Teletherapy/Telehealth: I do offer video and phone sessions. These platforms are fully secure and HIPAA-compliant. I conduct all sessions from a confidential space. In order for telehealth to be an appropriate choice for treatment, you must be able to meet in a safe, private space with a secure internet connection, and your presenting problem(s) must be appropriate for telehealth sessions. This will be determined during our phone consultation.

    Verify My License: If you would like to verify my license, you may do so here. My license number is LMFT 150520

    File a Complaint: If you believe there is a serious ethical or legal violation on my part or on the part of any therapist, including sexual conduct between therapist and patient, you may file a complaint here.

  • I offer weekly psychotherapy to adolescents, adults and couples who are based in California. They are 50-minutes long and can be attended in-person or remotely. 

    I provide therapy in English, Spanish, and Portuguese (Brazilian).

    I also offer psychological evaluations for asylum seekers working with a legal representative.

Let’s connect.

Schedule a free 20-minute phone consultation with me to see if we might be a good fit.