HOW I GOT HERE

I’m a therapist with a lifelong passion for helping others. My career in healthcare began as a back-office OB medical assistant at Cedars-Sinai Medical Towers, where I worked for 14 years, supporting women through various stages of care.

I earned my BA in Liberal Arts from Antioch University in 1995 and my MA in Clinical Psychology from New College of California in 1997. In 2002, I became a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), marking the start of a deeply fulfilling chapter in mental health care.

For the next 23 years, I worked at Kaiser Permanente, including 15 years specializing in perinatal substance abuse and women’s health. During this time, I also served part-time in Vallejo’s Chemical Dependency Program, leading recovery groups, parenting workshops, and training nurses. In the final four years of my time with Kaiser, I worked as a Psychiatric Crisis Triage Therapist in Vacaville, where I conducted emergency evaluations for the Solano Service Area.

After retiring in 2019, I became a Certified Equine-Assisted Mental Health Professional (CBEIP-MH) and launched my own equine psychotherapy practice in Contra Costa County. I continue to be dedicated to healing and emotional wellness, working collaboratively with clients – either as their primary therapist or in coordination with their existing mental health provider. When working with minors, I also consult with parents to ensure a supportive and well-rounded therapeutic process.

All sessions are unmounted, meaning clients interact with the horses on the ground rather than riding. This can involve grooming, leading, or simply spending quiet time in their presence. The horses I partner with are specially trained to create a safe, calming, and enriching experience.

My goal is to offer a warm, non-clinical environment where clients can feel at ease – outdoors, in nature, in the presence of these remarkable animals. This approach supports deep emotional work without the intensity of traditional talk therapy, creating space for gentle yet powerful personal growth.