For over 20 years, I have enjoyed living, working and playing throughout the South Bay. Although our beach towns have transformed and grown, the strong sense of community has remained at its core. This community, its culture and lifestyle are steeped in my persona and often reflected in my practice. It is here I was able to find my own personal healing, happiness and well-being for myself and family.
I hold a B.A. in Biology from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and an M.A. in Marital & Family Therapy with Specialization in Clinical Art Therapy from Loyola Marymount University. Much of my early experience includes extensive work at a residential treatment facility working with adolescents and adults suffering from a broad spectrum of mental health, trauma and substance abuse concerns. This experience laid the groundwork and paved the way for my current practice serving all of the South Bay.
Because of my years here in this unique area, I have a dynamic understanding of the specific challenges that we face in our community by the sea. As an active and devoted participant in each of my son’s K-12 education in the South Bay public school systems, I gained first-hand and valuable experience learning the many issues and challenges facing our young children, adolescents and their parents and families. This knowledge has fortified my educational and professional foundation allowing me to assist students, parents and caregivers in navigating the logistics, academics, social and emotional well-being through the educational experiences. Due to my affiliation and service on the Board of Directors for Sandpipers, a philanthropic organization in the South Bay, I was introduced to the many needs of our community and surrounding areas. This has provided me with an even deeper and broader understanding of the relevance of community, collaboration and connection.
Outside this rewarding work, I am the proud mother of two sons, an avid ocean swimmer, a yogi, a dancer and a voracious reader. I can often be found immersed among the waves or swimming along the shore. The ocean is my private sanctuary and place of solitude, peace and healing.