Services Offered

Individual Psychotherapy for:

* Children

* Adolescents
* Young Adults

* Parents/Caregivers
* Developmentally Differently-Abled

My counseling services are tailored to the unique needs of adolescents, young adults, parents and developmentally differently-abled individuals, providing a safe and supportive environment for them to express themselves and work through their challenges.

Diagnosis vs Symptoms

A diagnosis does not define an individual, but it does assist in recognizing a range of symptoms that could be present. The most common symptoms I encounter include trauma, depression, anxiety, divorce or separation, behavioral challenges, mood disorders, inattentiveness, reduced academic performance, conflicts with family or peers, low self-esteem, and developmental disabilities.

The most common diagnosis I work with include:

Anxiety (general or social)

Depression

ADHD

PTSD
Autism
Bipolar

DMDD

OCD

Disruption of Family System (death, illness, divorce or separation)

*Please note that I am not able to address severe eating disorders, as these typically require medical intervention.

Psychotherapy Sessions

Psychotherapy sessions are designed to explore the emotional and psychological aspects of mental health, assisting adolescents and young adults in learning how their brain works and developing coping strategies and achieving personal growth.

I value the importance of school attendance and understand the difficulties working parents face. My session hours are between 3:00pm and 8:00pm. This provides the opportunity to schedule a time that is convenient and does not interrupt school, work or extracurricular activities.

Therapy sessions are provided via video telehealth. I use the Spruce App, which is HiPAA approved, for secure communication to call, text or video chat. Sessions are typically 50 minutes long. Due to the convenience of telehealth, I am able to meet with my clients wherever they are at, whether it be home, other home, school or work. I offer each client the ability to text with questions, concerns or scheduling adjustments.

My Approach

At Rise Above, I am committed to offering personalized and comprehensive mental health services tailored for adolescents and young adults. My approach fosters a supportive and collaborative environment, allowing individuals to safely explore their thoughts and feelings. I empower our youth to navigate challenges and flourish on their journey while developing lifelong skills for improved mental well-being.

Therapeutic methods include Trauma-Informed Care, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Rapid Resolution Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Exposure Therapy, Play Therapy, Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Family Systems, and Mindfulness.

Topics we address encompass values, overcoming negative thinking, emotional regulation, self-esteem, enhancing interpersonal relationships with family and peers, effective communication, academic performance, personal accountability, and mindfulness techniques to ease anxiety.

With my background in behavioral neuroscience, I’m excited to help young people discover the incredible connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, providing them with tools to effectively navigate life's challenges. Together, we'll unlock their potential to manage negative thoughts, understand, embrace and manage their emotions, and take charge of their actions!

My mission is to deliver exceptional, tailored care to each individual, empowering them to Rise Above the challenges of being human and to reach their fullest potential.

My Approach

About Me

I am an enthusiastic Marriage and Family Therapist currently Licensed in California and Texas. I have over 25 years of experience working with children, adolescents, parents, young adults and developmentally differently-abled individuals in a variety of settings, including school, home, hospital and residential facilities.

I was born, grew up and raised my 2 sons in Southern California. I moved to Texas in 2023 and am loving the Land, but missing the Pacific Ocean. My hobbies include playing piano, painting, crafting, exploring outdoors and anything in the water. I come from a large faith-based family. I am the 5th born of 7 children with 6 brothers. My mother is a saint! I have been fascinated by human behavior for as long as I can remember, and found I have the capacity to connect with others in a deep and meaningful way.

Along with the strong values my mother instilled, I have learned and incorporated many cognitive behavioral and mindfulness strategies to navigate and overcome the challenges I have faced. I am so incredibly grateful I have the opportunity to support, uplift, and help others do the same!

I'm truly passionate about guiding young people to build a strong sense of self, grounded in values, effective coping skills, and unwavering confidence in their problem-solving abilities.

Curriculum Vitae