Professionally

Understanding people and relationships is what makes me tick. I am a licensed clinical social worker, certified emotionally focused therapist, and supervisor with extensive advanced clinical training in family and couples therapy. After graduating from Columbia University, I trained for four years at the Ackerman Institute for the Family to advance my clinical training and experience. I have trained in a wide range of empirically supported trauma treatments with a focus on Internal Family Systems and Emotionally Focused Therapy to deepen my attachment-based and relationship work with couples, families, and individuals. Mindfulness work, life stage/development, parent/child relationships across the life span, and coping with grief and loss are areas where I've deepened my practice. This means I've spent many years in clinical training videotaping my work, having my work observed and supervised while studying the most effective interventions to foster healing and closer connections between people. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at San Diego and a Master of Science degree from Columbia University. 

 

I have supervised associate professionals in my private practice and at several agencies. I am a certified emotionally focused therapist and supervisor. I have supervised, taught, and guest lectured at Cal Poly Humboldt and the Wright Institute. 

 

I am endorsed as an Infant & Family, Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist in the State of California.  

​

In 2024, I launched Relatable, an app that helps users learn and practice the building blocks of great relationships. It centers on relationship skills rather than the type of relationship. Find Relatable in the iOS App Store.

​

B.A. from University of CA at San Diego

M.S. from Columbia University in New York City 

Licensed since October 2009

License: 27222

 

Personally

As a white, able-bodied,  heterosexual, cis-gendered female, I am keenly aware of the privileges inherent in my identities. Issues of power and privilege are critical to accurately understanding any person and context. They inform my approach to work, life, and relationships. Growing up in Oakland, my awareness of oppression and inequity juxtaposed against my privileged social location formed my values of equity, diversity, and deep compassion. I am committed to dismantling racism and all --isms, from the intrapersonal to the systemic. I frequently work cross-culturally and am deeply honored each time. Humility, deep listening, compassion, and understanding of systemic oppression and intergenerational trauma inform my approach to all cross-cultural work. 

​

My husband and I have been married for over 15 years. We have two children together and live in Berkeley. We have each been in individual therapy and have been in couples therapy together. I know what it's like to go through the process of therapy and have experienced my own personal and relationship transformation. Therapy is vulnerable, challenging, and painful, while it is also joyful, exciting, and life-altering (for the better!). My experience is one of the reasons I became a therapist. Therapists must work on themselves and their relationships throughout their professional careers to ensure good practice, self-care, and overall well-being. Just like physical health, we all have to take care of our mental health. It's all a practice, and I'm in it with you!

 

The paintings that appear throughout my website are by Humboldt County artist  Jess Aldeghi. 

​