Life can bring unexpected challenges; we are not always aware of the tools that will help us navigate difficult times. A therapist empowers, walks with you through the healing process, guides in a particular direction when appropriate, and ultimately supports you along your own unique life path.

I am a California-licensed Clinical Psychologist (Psy 24866) with over 20 years of experience providing therapy services to adolescents and adults in their journey towards mental wellness and living a more empowered life. I have specialized training in behavioral medicine, psychological assessments, and Ericksonian hypnotherapy. For me, being a therapist is my calling and part of my legacy, as my parents were counselors.

My Ph.D. is from the San Diego State University-University of California, San Diego (SDSU/UCSD) Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology (2002-2008). I completed a behavioral medicine and neuropsychology clinical internship in the Dept. of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, WA (2007-2008). I also completed postdoctoral training and conducted clinical trials research in the Dept. of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco (2008-2011). Given my broad interests in improving individual and population health, I worked on a Master’s of Public Health at SDSU (2003-2006) concurrently during doctoral studies and clinical training, which included enhanced training in the measurement of social, cultural, structural, and commercial determinants of health. I completed work towards the Master’s of Science in Psychology from SDSU, awarded in 2006.

My research training has mostly focused on elucidating the sociocultural, structural, neurochemical, and mental health influences of cigarette smoking and other tobacco product use on the body and mind. I have also worked as a Program Officer, and managed a multifaceted peer-reviewed research grant portfolio anchored in the social and behavioral science, in a career position at the University of California, Office of the President (2011-2023).

My professional consulting work began in 2018 and has included writing, editing, and reviewing: federal reports, peer-reviewed research publications, public health program materials, and policy statements in tobacco prevention and control. I’ve also done consulting work since 2008 for funded research projects, community mental health programs, and other public health programs, which has included intervention/ curriculum development and evaluation or synthesizing research-informed evidence to influence policymakers.