About

I am a licensed clinical social worker/psychotherapist, meditation teacher, and yoga instructor. As much of my family was lost in the Holocaust, I was exposed to the impact of trauma from an early age. Knowing my family’s experience, suffering, and healing impacted me greatly throughout my childhood. From a young age I felt called to a path of social justice and helping others restore after painful events.

Throughout my life I have occupied many roles as a nurturer such as being an elementary school teacher, a meditation instructor, a volunteer organization director, and a homeless shelter coordinator. I found my way to psychotherapy and yoga through a yearning for intimacy and deep connection. I spent many years of my career in university counseling which gave me the opportunity to work with clients from extremely diverse backgrounds and circumstances. Through this work I have cultivated an expertise in being able to support people through life-changing transitions, crises, and identity shifts. Being a psychotherapist is a deeply fulfilling career that allows me to journey with others down their path to wholeness. 

Throughout my own life I found it difficult to make sense of feelings I was experiencing and I struggled with my identity. I found, and continue to find, strength and purpose through my relationships with mentors, therapists, and friends who support me along my pilgrimage within. I have learned to embrace the parts of myself I once deemed undesirable. I hope to offer my clients the same opportunity. Read about my specializations here. 

Education and Background

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley

• Master's of Social Work with a specialty in Mental Health from the University of Southern California

In addition to my private practice, I currently lecture at counseling centers, universities, spiritual organizations, and non-profits:

• Guest Lecturer at USC's Annenberg School for Communication, USC's School of Social Work, UCLA’s Oxbridge Academic Program, and UCI’s School of Social Ecology

  • Lecture Topics: Anxiety and Public Speaking, Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Eating Disorders, The Psychological Impact of Social Media, Behavioral Health Communication: How Language, Communication Style, and Honesty Impact Treatment, Assertiveness and Conflict Resolution, and Psychological Perspectives on Social Deviance.

• Other Workshops I Have Taught:

  • East Meets West: The Integration of Yoga & Psychology, Shadow Work: Befriending our Darkness, Making Connections: Breaking Through Social Anxiety, Self-Compassion for Therapists, Visualizing Your Future Self, How to Build Resiliency, and many more.

Before opening my current practice I worked in several settings including:

• University of Southern California's Student Counseling Services in Los Angeles, CA

  • Prevention Specialist: created curriculum for and facilitated a bystander intervention program for faculty and students. Presented on a variety of wellness topics to educate and create mental health literacy within the community.

  • Individual and Group Psychotherapist

  • Crisis Counselor

  • Co-founder of the Stress Relief Clinic - providing students and faculty with holistic services such as restorative yoga, biofeedback, mindfulness, and psychoeducation about wellness.

• Public Counsel in Los Angeles, CA

Training

I am trained in and utilize a variety of modalities including:

• Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy

• Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

• Compassion-Focused Therapy

• Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

• Motivational Interviewing