The best counselors in San Diego are those that have gone through trials and tribulations- then to survive, overcome, and teach others how to do the same. I grew up as a caretaker for my single mother who suffered from mental health issues. She committed suicide when I was only fifteen after struggling with several debilitating symptoms.
This initially motivated me to get through college to become a special education teacher working with students in public middle schools. I absolutely loved my students; however, being a teacher prevented me from becoming closer with each student that needed a role model- an adult they could trust and turn to for help. With the limitations placed on school teachers, I found this dilemma very frustrating. Therefore, I decided to obtain another degree in mental health counseling in order for me to open up my own practice. As a counselor, I am now able to establish deeper relationships with my clients, both children, and adults. I strive every day to help my clients grow in every aspect of their lives. Regardless of their circumstances, I want my clients to recognize their true potential, their capacity to become, and achieve anything. Every time I help a person who is struggling with suicide, medical illnesses, or mental health issues- I reflect upon my own mother and reassured that being a counselor is what God had planned for me all along. I also have experience with eating disorders, suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, all mood disorders, pre and post-natal, grief, addictions, and family dynamics. As well as case management for more severe disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar. I conduct neurofeedback with people ages four years old until end of life for anxiety, anger, depression, insomnia, migraines, seizures, ADHD, autism, ODD, DMDD, memory, focus, and peak performance. I utilize EMDR to treat various forms of PTSD. Play therapy, CBT, and DBT are approaches used in both individual and group settings.
EDUCATION & BACKGROUND
Master’s degree in Special Education at the University of Nevada Las Vegas
Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling at Walden University.
Five years of teaching adolescent age students with special needs.
Owner of Healing Hearts Counseling Center SD INC private practice and supervisor of other therapists.
CERTIFICATIONS
EMDR Specialist
Play and Sand-tray Therapist under the ACAC division
Somatic Experiencing
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Abandonment, Attachment issues, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Body image, Chronic pain illness and disability, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Domestic Violence, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Eating and Food-Related Issues, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Intellectual Disability, Mood disorders , Narcissism, Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Personality Disorders, Postpartum Depression, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy and childbirth, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Self-Harm, Sex Addiction, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Sexual Dysfunction, Sexuality, Smoking/Vaping Cessation, Social anxiety and phobia, Somatization, Traumatic Brain Injury, Women's issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Gottman Method, Solution-Focused Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems
CA LPCC 2992