I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 12 years of experience. I received a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and Social Behavior as well as Criminology, Law and Society from the University of California, Irvine. Following my undergraduate work I earned a Masters of Science in Social Work from the University of Southern California.
I specialize in working with children who are having difficult behaviors, communication, anxiety, and adjustments to family or environmental changes. Additionally, I have steadily worked with parents on increasing their skill set with establishing structure, positive discipline, and effective communication in the home. Adolescence and youth struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, low self-esteem, self-harming behaviors, conflict with identity or strained relationships with family members or friends are other areas I have gained expertise in. Also, I have engaged in work with adults and older adults struggling with stress, abuse, grief and loss, as well as learning how to manage and cope with a new medical diagnosis or changing family life.
I have gained my Pupil Personnel Services Credential, which has allowed me to work with a range of grade levels while becoming well versed in IEPs. Additionally, I have a certification in bereavement. Grief and loss comes in many forms and throughout my experience I have helped individuals with divorce and separation, the passing of a loved one, or enduring significant transitions such as retirement, re-locating to a new neighborhood or being diagnosed with a chronic health condition. Currently, I am an assistant professor at the University of Southern California and have been involved with USC’s School of Social Work since 2011.
In my practice I pull from cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, solution-focused and problem solving therapy. In addition, I layer in aspects of humanistic therapy, acceptance commitment therapy, and strengths based work in my practice with individuals, couples, and families.
