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Are you not getting along with your partner and don’t know what to do?

Many couples experience challenges in relationships and are not able to find resolutions. Couples can develop resentment when relational issues aren’t resolved early on and end up feeling helpless and hopeless about their relationship.  If you are in distress and looking to connect with your partner,  I am here to help.  You can call me directly by clicking this number 1-(323)487-9003 for a free phone consult or you can send me an email by clicking here.

What is the treatment modality I use in couples work?

I specialize in treating couples, interracial couples and LGBTQ couples in particular.  I have been trained in a treatment modality for couples called “Emotionally Focused Therapy” (EFT) and currently in my multi-year EFT certification training process.  I have treated and continue to treat many couples in distress in my practice and have seen significant positive changes in couples that help create and hold a safe, secure and lasting relational bond with one another.

I am a member of the following associations:

Los Angeles Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy
The International Centre for Excellence of Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT)

What is Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)?

EFT is a structured approach for couples focused on adult attachment and bonding.  EFT was founded by Dr. Sue Johnson in 1980 to expand therapists’ understanding of couples who are in relational distress.  According to the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT), “research studies find that 70-75% of couples move from distress to recovery and approximately 90% show significant improvements.” For more information on EFT research, please click on the link above and see the EFT Research Menu.

EFT is used not only in treating couples but also individuals and families.  EFT for Couples is a treatment modality that help couples identify their negative “interactional dances/cycles” that trigger certain negative responses from each partner, help couples deepen their understanding of these “interactional dances/cycles” and responses, help couples create new and positive “interactional dances/cycles, deepen their understanding of their emotions and help couples use their emotions as a guide in creating secure ways of relating with one another.  The goal of EFT treatment is for couples to move away from insecure attachment styles to secure attachment styles.

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Pre-marital counseling services:

I also offer pre-marital counseling services to all couples who are considering a long-term commitment such as marriage.  Typically, the goal of pre-marital counseling is focused on identifying and addressing any potential areas of conflict in a relationship early on, before those issues become serious concerns.

It will teach you and your fiancé effective strategies for discussing and resolving conflicts and help both of you understand the expectations you have about marriage and address any significant differences in a safe and neutral environment.

In pre-marital counseling sessions, topics like finances, children, religious/spiritual beliefs and intimacy are the main areas where many couples experience challenges. Couples can also develop communication and conflict resolution skills and address any fears they might have about marriage, whether these concerns result from one’s personal relationship, history, family background or otherwise.

The length of pre-marital counseling with me is usually between 8 and 12 sessions.

You can call me directly by clicking this number 1-323-487-9003 for a free phone consult or we could book you a session by clicking here.

Hi there.  I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist practicing in the heart of Atwater Village, Los Angeles.  (California LMFT License #97561).

A little about me…

Prior to my work as a therapist, I attended law school and spent many years working in the legal field.  I took a major shift in my career and received a Master of Science Degree in Counseling with Emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy from California State University, Northridge.

Previously, I worked at the Los Angeles LGBT Center in Hollywood where I completed all my intern hours.  I provided psychotherapy and psychosocial wrap around services to the LGBT community and treated issues from depression to schizophrenia including homelessness and helped individuals with HIV.  While at the LGBT Center, I treated relational issues with couples, created and facilitated psychotherapy groups such as addiction groups (e.g. intensive outpatient recovery groups and harm reduction groups for men and women), recovery groups for women and mindfulness groups to help with depression and anxiety.  To read more about group therapy that I currently facilitate or to join please visit our psychotherapy groups page.

How different am I from other therapists?

As a person of color and with my diverse background, I have a vast understanding of different types of oppression.  I have experienced what it is like to feel different, confused, misunderstood and marginalized.  I welcome issues surrounding oppression other therapists have difficulty understanding and processing with people of color and interracial couples including biracial individuals.

My own life struggles and experiences combined with my education has given me the WISDOM that creates a therapeutic space of safety, empathy, compassion and understanding of your own experiences separate from mine.

You can <href=”tel:1-323-487-9003″> call me now for a free phone consult or we could book you a session by clicking here.

How do I work as your therapist?

As your therapist, I create an empathic, welcoming and non-judgmental therapeutic environment to help you feel comfortable and safe in our work together.  I am a client-centered therapist who uses a variety of therapeutic techniques from psychodynamic and psychoanalytic approaches to evidenced-based practices including mindfulness-based practices.  

The integration of these therapeutic approaches will help you understand the connection between the mind and body.  You will learn to deconstruct maladaptive ways of thinking and behaving and begin constructing adaptive ways of coping to life stressors. You will learn sensory-based skills that will help you become mindful and present in your moment to moment experiences.  You will learn skills that will make you less reactive to the effects of past trauma and prevent you from regressing to old patterns of behavior and unhealthy ways of coping to stress.

In my practice, I work with individuals including children and teens, adults ages 18-70 years old.  I see individuals who struggle with issues surrounding trauma, substance use, addiction including sex and love addiction, depression, anxiety, OCD, specific phobias, bipolar disorder, sexual assault, rape and domestic violence, and personality disorders.  Patients who find their way to my door are mostly technology experts, artists, musicians, actors/actresses, real estate agents and brokers, individuals who hold high corporate positions such as CEOs and CFOs, attorneys, psychotherapists, medical doctors and other individuals in the helping profession.  As a relationship expert and an EFT trained therapist, I see heterosexual couples and specialize in seeing interracial and LGBTQ couples in particular.   

In addition to my private practice work, I teach and hold workshops on mindfulness and multiculturalism in annual conferences.  Stay tuned for upcoming workshops and couples retreats.  If you want to receive notifications of upcoming events, please leave me your contact info by clicking here.

Mindful Walking/Hiking-based Therapy

I offer walking mindfulness-based therapy or “mindful walking” to those who are interested in managing and decreasing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma by utilizing body sensations and movement techniques.  Please note:  this treatment is not for everyone.  Patients must undergo a thorough assessment and a series of therapy sessions to determine whether this treatment is right for the patient.

I received trainings in:

1. Emotionally Focused Therapy, a treatment modality used for couples, individuals and families (currently in multi-year certification training process);
2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a treatment modality used for clients with Depression, Anxiety, Addiction, and Trauma;
3. Seeking Safety, a treatment modality used for clients with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Addiction;
4. Crisis Oriented Recovery (CORS), a treatment modality used for clients in crisis situations;
5. Mindfulness Meditation trainings and certifications; Mindfulness practitioner since 2009;
6. Domestic Violence certified therapist; and
7. LGBTQI Affirmative therapist

I am a member of the following associations:

Group Psychotherapy Association of Los Angeles (GPALA)
Los Angeles Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy
The International Centre for Excellence of Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT)
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (CAMFT)

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My ideal patients are those who are ready for change and ready to take action. I like working with patients who are committed to attaining personal growth and value the gift of therapy.  If this description fits who you are, please give me a call for a free 20-minute phone consult at 1-323-487-9003 or click here to book a session.

In therapy, we will heal wounds and face challenges together.

Your goal is my goal.  I am here to help you find ways to decrease self-destructive behaviors and develop healthier ways that will help you maneuver life’s perplexities and lead a rewarding life.

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Has it been tough lately and feeling alone with no one to talk to?

Does it always have to be this hard, you might ask?

No, it doesn’t have to be.  Just like many others, you are probably struggling with issues you feel no one understands.  I, too, will probably have to agree, that when people don’t understand what you’re going through it makes life a lot harder to maneuver and you end up feeling alone…

This is when therapy can help and I am here to face challenges with you.  In our individual work together, I will help you find resolutions to individual issues that stand as barriers to achieving a healthier psychological well-being.  I get that reaching out to me might be the hardest step you are making at this moment, and I know that you are not reading this just to read it.  There’s something within you craving for change.  So make the change happen, this is for you and no one else.

I am available to speak over the phone.  My number is  1-323-487-9003 or send me an email to schedule a free 20-minute initial phone assessment by clicking here.

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Are you the type who works well with other people?

If so, then group therapy might work for you.  Group therapy provides benefits individual therapy can’t provide.  Group therapy is an antidote to isolation and gives you the opportunity to grow with other people.  Learning and sharing about similar experiences with others is the catalyst of change.

My experience as a group therapist…

I’ve always enjoyed working with groups of people and while at the LGBT Center, I created and facilitated psychotherapy groups such as addiction groups (e.g. intensive outpatient recovery groups and harm reduction groups for men and women), recovery groups for women and mindfulness groups to help with depression and anxiety.

I am member of Group Psychotherapy Association of Los Angeles (GPALA) and an Annual Conference Co-Chair Committee to Dr. Allyn Rodriguez.

What kind of groups do I provide?

I provide psychotherapy groups that focus on health and wellness.  

Below is a list of psychotherapy groups I provide:

Healthy Relationships Group

Start Date:  Ongoing – Let’s get you into the group by clicking here.

Is a group that focuses on getting to know yourself and how you relate with others (e.g. friends, family members, romantic partners and coworkers).  The group aims to provide healthy relational skills that will help you establish and maintain healthy relationships with others.  This group is dedicated to those who struggle with social anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues and those who struggle with love addiction.

Psychotherapy Group for Lesbian, Bisexual & Queer (LBQ) Women

Start Date:  Ongoing – Let’s get you into the group by clicking here.

This group is a women’s group dedicated specifically to LBQ women.  This is an open process group aimed to help process the psychological and social impact of oppression, rejection, discrimination, harassment, and the violence LBQ women face in a heteronormative society.  This group is also aimed to increase social support to LBQ women who share the same interests in achieving a healthier psychological and emotional well-being.   This group is dedicated to those who struggle with social anxiety, depression, and self-esteem issues.

Abstinence-based and Harm Reduction-based Groups

Start:  May 2018 – Open Enrollment – Let’s get you into the group by clicking here.

This group is dedicated only to women struggling with addiction and in recovery.  This is an open process group aimed to explore issues surrounding addiction and as an addition to their work in 12-step program.  This group will guide group members explore past traumatic experiences related to addiction by utilizing mindfulness-based techniques and cognitive behavioral therapy.  The goal is to help women in recovery lead a rewarding sober life.

If you are interested in participating in group therapy, please call me at 1(323)487-9003 for a free phone consult or click here to book a session.

Location:  Heart of Atwater Village, Los Angeles, CA 

Complete the form below or simply call me at 1(323)487-9003 for a free phone consult.  If I don’t answer, I may be in session, so please leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as I am able or within a 24-hour time frame.

What I offer to new patients?

I offer a free 20-minute phone assessment to gather presenting issues, answer any questions you may have about therapy including session fees and insurance.

Please note that I do not take insurance and only take out of network insurance or PPO insurance.  With PPO insurance, you are responsible to pay for the fees up front and I will generate a superbill that you will submit to your insurance for reimbursement of fees.

Below is a list of questions you want to ask your insurance carrier regarding fee reimbursement:

1.  Do I carry a PPO or an HMO insurance plan?
2.  Do I have unlimited or limited therapy sessions?
3.  Will I get fee reimbursement for services such as: individual therapy, group therapy and couples therapy?
4.  What are the reimbursement rates/percentage split?
5.  How long is the processing time for fee reimbursement?

For Clinicians:

I am available to speak or present a workshop on topics surrounding mindfulness and multiculturalism.  I can speak for 20 minutes over the phone to consult and to schedule a meeting.

Thank you and I am looking forward to speaking with you and meeting you.