Therapy Philosophy
Humor, openness, courage, curiosity, relationships, and self-compassion are necessary, and just as powerful as cognitive/behavioral exercises, neuro-biology, mindfulness, and medicine.
I view therapy as a collaborative relationship between the client and the therapist.
You are coming to this space with a desire to work on yourself- maybe to heal, or grow- with all your strengths, as well as the challenges you are facing. You have expertise in your own lived experiences, and I trust you and your system to know what you need, if given support, and unconditional positive regard. I bring warmth, respect, and a willingness to see and recognize your inherent worth and capacity to heal. I have clinical skills and tools that can support your goals and intentions. Together, we will work to explore, understand, and support your healing journey.
I have been practicing for 15 years, and my varied experiences have taught me that using a tailored and holistic approach works best to address the complex needs of each unique human being. Part of my practice is that I teach the need to honor our own innate healing wisdom, from mind, body, and spirit. Practically, what that looks like for your specific treatment working with me is that I don’t believe 1 size fits all— so I borrow from a number of different therapeutic modalities where appropriate, including, but not limited to:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Mindful Self-Compassion
Internal Family Systems (IFS or "Parts Work")
Sex Therapy
Somatic Experiencing
Psychedelic Assisted Therapy (PAT)/ Ketamine Assisted Therapy (KAT)
Each of these has a time and a place where it may be helpful to weave into our work, depending on the needs and challenges present. Often in practice I move from a more directive or structured framework (for example, regulating behavior and mood using CBT and Mindfulness) into more psychodynamic and somatic practices that support growing self-awareness with body processing and integration. Not every therapeutic intervention is a good fit for a given person, and we may use several different approaches to support your needs as they unfold over time.
Social Justice Commitments
In my life and work, I warmly welcome LGBTQIA+ and straight folks, and I am strongly sex positive, kink positive, and poly affirming. I believe that pleasure is one of our birth rights as human beings.
I work to maintain cultural humility and I support health at every size and in every ability. Too often, I have seen the ways in which not being listened to, believed, or supported in one's lived experiences exacerbates the harm we have already endured. I believe survivors.
I believe in the inherent worth and dignity of all people, regardless of their education, socio-economic status, faith, spiritual practice, agnosticism or atheism, race or ethnicity, sex, gender, or presentation.
I am a pro-choice therapist, and I hold space for the complexity of grief in having to choose different reproductive experiences than what we wished for.
I embrace that families come into being in a variety of ways, many of them chosen rather than biological.
All people deserve access to compassionate and supportive care, and there are many ways to access what care is most appropriate for your needs.
I may be the right therapist for you, or not. If you aren't sure, please reach out for a free consultation and we can find out together. I am also happy to help you refine your search, if this space doesn't meet your needs.
Professional Background
I hold a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan (2010). My continuing education includes a 175 hour certificate in Sex Therapy from the University of Michigan (2013), and a certificate in Maternal Mental Health from Postpartum Support International (2021) https://www.postpartum.net/. In 2025, I completed a 300 hour training in Psychedelic Assisted Therapy through the Integrative Psychiatry https://psychiatryinstitute.com/ipi-year-long-psychedelic-assisted-therapy-training/.
In my career as a social worker and therapist, I have had the privilege of working in a variety of settings, including:
-Research-project counselor with the Center for Health Communications Research at The University of Michigan
- Employee Assistance Counselor for Wells Fargo through Optum at United Health Care.
-Intake and Assessment Coordinator for Kaiser Permanente Northern California Regional Psychiatry
- In-clinic Behavioral Medicine Specialist for the OB/GYN department for Kaiser Permanente, San Leandro, working with pregnant and postpartum women, addressing adjustment challenges, fertility, grief, & trauma
- Psychotherapist with Carbon Health, working with folks on issues ranging from mood disorders, relationship challenges, phase of life challenges, perinatal issues, grief, and trauma.
I identify as a bisexual Jewish woman. I am a wife and the mother of 2 small-ish people, and 2 large cats. In my free time I enjoy being in nature or my garden, and going on adventures both real and imagined.
Contact me
Interested in a free 15-20 minute consultation? Fill out the form and we can set up a time to talk via Zoom or phone.