Life-long learning:

Clinical background & training

i. Starting out

I've been in the psychology field for over two decades. And it wasn’t always a pleasant or smooth ride.
After attaining my first Master's in Organizational and Social Psychology, I started my career as an organizational development professional. This primarily involved executive and leadership coaching, talent development, and change management with tech start-ups in the Bay Area.
After over a decade in that field, I reached the point where I felt like corporate life was sucking the soul out of me.
Change was desperately needed!
ii. Pursuing the path

My lived experiences brought into focus my desire to use my education, training, and life skills in ways that could help others and contribute to the greater whole in a more meaningful and life-sustaining way.
Emerging out of my turmoil and confusion, I became the designer of my own life.
I decided to switch gears, go back to school, and pursue becoming a psychotherapist.
iii. Community mental health
I've been active for several years in community mental health, volunteering at a variety of crisis lines, as well as training as a counselor in Bay Area school districts.
More specifically, I volunteered at:
- a domestic violence crisis line (W.O.M.A.N., Inc),
- a suicide prevention crisis line (S.F. Suicide Prevention), and a
- parental support crisis line (Safe & Sound).
I've also trained as an elementary school mental health counselor at Pittsburg Unified School District and a high school mental health counselor at San Ramon Unified School District.
iv. Private practice
Today, I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Positive Discipline® Parent Educator, and I love what I do.
In 2020, I transitioned to private practice. I feel blessed to get to do what I love:
- Support people to explore themselves.
- Help people make meaning of their experiences.
- Aid people in rediscovering choice and possibility.
- Support people in navigating the challenges of being human.
My love for this field, and innate thirst for learning, contribute to my desire to continue honing my expertise in the service of others.
Please continue reading below for more details on my formal education and training.

Education

MA, Integral Counseling Psychology | California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA

MA, Transpersonal Psychology | Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, Palo Alto, CA

MSc, Organizational and Social Psychology | London School of Economics & Political Science, London, UK

Bachelor of Arts, Psychology | Deree, The American College of Greece, Athens, Greece

Selected Workshops & Certifications

Internal Family Systems therapy (IFS therapy):

Level 3 Advanced Training in Internal Family Systems (IFS): | IFS Institute with Cece Sykes, LCSW, and Seth Kopald, Ph.D
Level 2 Advanced Training in Internal Family Systems (IFS): A Compassionate Approach to Addictive Processes | IFS Institute with Cece Sykes, LCSW, and Terri Dalton, Ph.D
Level 2 Advanced Training in Internal Family Systems (IFS): Shame, Anxiety, & Depression | IFS Institute with Ann Sinko, LMFT, and Mike Elkin, LMFT
Level 1 Trained Practitioner in Internal Family Systems (IFS) | IFS Institute with Pamela Krause, LCSW, & Jory Agate, LMHC
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Circle | IFS Institute with Richard Schwartz, Ph.D., Toni Herbine-Blank, RN, & Pamela Krause, LCSW

Additional IFS training outside the IFS institute:

Integrative Somatic Parts Work Levels 1, 2, & 3 | The Embody Lab with Fran Booth, LICSW, Certified IFS Therapist, Trainer, and Consultant
Direct Access - An Essential IFS Skill | Life Architect with Fran Booth, LICSW, Certified IFS Therapist, Trainer, and Consultant
Shamanism and IFS Psychotherapy | Life Architect with Ann Sinko, LMFT, and Robert Falconer, IFS Consultant

Brainspotting therapy:

Brainspotting and Parts Work | Cherie Lindberg, LPC, and Cynthia Schwartzberg, LCSW
Brainspotting and Grief | Keisha Ward, LCMHC
Expansion Brainspotting (BSP) | Pacific Counseling and Trauma Center with Lisa Larson, LMFT
Phase 3 Trained in Brainspotting (BSP) | David Grand, Ph.D
Phase 2 Trained in Brainspotting (BSP) | Pacific Counseling and Trauma Center with Lisa Larson, LMFT
Phase 1 Trained in Brainspotting (BSP) | Pacific Counseling and Trauma Center with Lisa Larson, LMFT

Mindful Self-Compassion:

Self-Compassion in Psychotherapy (SCIP) Professional Training Program | Center for Mindful Self-Compassion
Mindful Self-Compassion 10-week seminar | Center for Mindful Self-Compassion with Helle Laursen, MSC Certified Teacher, ICF Certified Coach
Self-Compassion Primer, Fierce Self-Compassion, & Self-Compassion as an Antidote to Shame | Center for Mindful Self-Compassion with Kristin Neff, Ph.D. & Chris Germer, PhD
Conscious Loving: Pathways for Awakening Our Heart | NICABM with Tara Brach, PhD

Somatic Therapy:

Level 1 Trained in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Trauma | Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute with Marie Damgaard, CCC, SP.

Other Trauma studies:

Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies | Trauma Research Foundation with Bessel van der Kolk, MD, Stephen Porges, Ph.D., and others
Advanced Trauma-Informed Care | Center of Adolescent Studies with Sam Himelstein, PhD
Using Play Therapy to Treat Trauma in Children | Growth Through Play Therapy with Jeannette Harroun, LMFT

Other:

Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator | Positive Discipline Association
Child-Centered Play Therapy | Growth Through Play Therapy with Karen Pernet, LCSW