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