I am a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist (MFC 93269) specializing in health crises or transitions, especially related to grief and loss, illness and growth after trauma. I work with children, adolescents, teens and adults experiencing extreme emotional and physical pain during monumental life transitions and help them find healing and even beauty from their deepest despair. I am a therapist, both skilled and passionate in connecting and guiding clients from darkness into the light of understanding and healing. In 2000 I received my doctorate from the University of California at Los Angeles in Public Health where I studied the psychosocial needs of women with breast cancer. The older adults and dying patients I worked with taught me so much about living and pursing a life that is meaningful and fulfilling until the very end. Over the years I have been privileged to help clients and their families transition from suffering to healing, from pain to growth and in certain instances from life to death. My career in the helping profession has been extraordinarily fulfilling and in addition to my work at UCLA, I have served as the Executive Director of Hospice of Pasadena, chaired the San Gabriel Valley End of Life Care Coalition, and volunteered and worked with the American Cancer Society and the Wellness Community. In 2010 I returned to school at Pepperdine University for my master’s degree in clinical psychology. My excellent courses of academic studies and my diverse career experiences have equipped me with a unique skill set, compassionate spirit and sincere dedication to provide therapy for healing. I continue to update my specialty training in the areas of traumatic grief, healing after a su***de loss and psychosocial oncology. Currently my clinical responsibilities include private practice and facilitation of several grief, illness and trauma related support groups. I am also the Director of Adolescent and Teen Grief Programs at the Glendale Adventist Medical Center Beyond Loss Bereavement Program. In addition to my clinical practice I teach University courses in psychology and health and wellness, provide grief consultation and trainings for local non-profits. I am a public speaker and educator on topics including: individual and family grief, how to cope and live with a terminal illness, traumatic grief and post traumatic growth.
