About

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I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Saint Martin's University while I was serving in the military. After, I separated from the military, I wanted to pursue more opportunities within the mental health field (researching and studying the dynamics of family behaviors and child psychology fascinated me) and  obtained a Master of Arts at Chapman University in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy.

I completed my internship at Good Samaritan Mental Health and worked with children, parents, and families.

I provided counseling to children who were battling from trauma, depression, anxiety, op-positional defiant Disorder, attention Deficit hyperactive Disorder, attachment disorder, and grief and loss which often effected their school performances and home life. Counseling provided was primarily through art and play therapy and in identifying their strengths, and exploring their interests through discussions  and activities related to art, sports, favorite movies, animated characters, and their role models in their lives. 

I also provided behavioral management training to parents who were struggling with managing negative behaviors, providing positive reinforcement, and in connecting with their children.

I worked for the Department of Veteran Affairs for four years. The first year I worked as a psychology technician and for three years I was a counselor for active duty and military women and men Veterans who suffered from combat trauma and or sexual trauma. Most of the Veterans I worked with suffered from anxiety, depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and a few from personality disorders. 

Although, I  was helping the Veterans through there own issues, I was also able to grow as a therapist through their resiliency and learned to have more appreciation for the Veterans and for life in general.

My therapeutic approach consists of cognitive behavioral therapy, accelerated resolution therapy for trauma work (please visit https://acceleratedresolutiontherapy.com/ for more info), solution focused therapy, bibliotherapy, play therapy, and mindfulness.

Lastly, I spent the last three years in social work for Pierce County and conducted assessments for in home care services for the english and korean speaking aging adults and the disabled who had life threatening health issues and suffered from chronic mental health illnesses such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and dementia. Working with such population helped me become more familiar with the aging process and the issues involved as well as the importance of having support from loved ones and having knowledge of available community resources.

To maintain my work and life balance, in my spare time, I enjoy traveling, being by the water, sightseeing, reading, and spending time with my family and friends.