For over two decades I have personally experienced and trained in holistic modalities and taught alternative methods in education. In 2017, when I became a holistic therapist, I naturally integrated a holistic approach into my practice. Holistic based therapy allows freedom to collaborate and personalize therapy sessions specific to your needs; goals; and personhood. Your life experience is unique and sacred, thus your healing journey is tailored to embrace this. 

 

I am drawn to mindfulness-based approaches that include somatic awareness and expressing through creative arts. I realized from client’s feedback that my strengths developed in holding space for trauma; grief; severe moods; individuals with HSP trait; as well as those with relationship disharmony and parental distress. 

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Living in India for two years and serving in impoverished villages led to my personal search for more meaning in life and mindfulness practices. My joy for art, celebrations and creative expression inspired a more holistic approach to counseling with expressive arts and integrative therapies. Social justice is also an integral part of my work for the nonprofit I founded in 2022.  

 

I received a B.A. in Psychology and a Master’s in Education. While training in and experiencing holistic modalities, I taught children and families for twenty-two years integrating Kingian nonviolence as well as owned and operated a home daycare in Providence, Rhode Island. I have a Master’s Degree in Holistic Mental Health Counseling; and Advanced graduate studies in Expressive Arts. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist for the state of California. I am trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). As well, HeartMath® Experience skills.

   

While working at a local holistic healing center in Rhode Island I developed a profound interest in eating disorders. This led to my trainings in Internal Family Systems, and how to integrate expressive arts into the IFS approach. Dr. Richard Schwartz who developed IFS did so because of his work with individuals with severe cases of eating disorders. From the many treatment approaches I have experienced and researched, IFS stands out to me for its depth in compassion and self-empowerment for both the client and therapist. Rather than “getting rid” of uncomfortable memories and experiences, IFS allows a gentle yet powerful way to “get through” and heal long term. Rather than retraumatize or relive, IFS allows an experience of being “with” rather “in” the trauma or discomfort. IFS has proven, in my experience, as well as an evidenced based practice to be the most accessible way to heal whole heartedly.

   

Although my structure in therapy sessions is based in IFS, due to my holistic studies background, I have the freedom to weave in Expressive Arts; DBT skills; and HeartMath® experience skills.  With the diverse experience of teaching and working with children, I also offer healing at a family system level. 

My specialty areas are: EATING DISORDERS; PTSD; TRAUMA; HSP TRAIT; GRIEF/BEREAVEMENT; ANXIETY; DEPRESSION and RELATIONSHIP DISHARMONY.