"Humans are like intricate tapestries, woven together by the multicolored threads of our experiences, identities, and relationships." This resonates with how I view and approach therapy. A tapestry cannot be understood by examining a single thread, and similarly, a person cannot be fully understood by focusing on only one symptom. Our identities, attachment patterns, cultural dynamics, relationships, strengths, challenges, and experiences are woven together, shaping how we see ourselves and relate to others. I specialize in helping individuals explore their identity, relational patterns, and the impact of past trauma, while honoring the cultural and social contexts that have shaped their lives. I also work with anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma, not only looking at symptom management, but also understanding responses to our life experiences.

It's an honor to be a psychologist and support people as they develop an understanding of their unique threads of thoughts, emotions, motivations, and behaviors that are intricately woven to form the tapestry of their experiences. I value this work and the courage it takes to begin. I walk alongside individuals with curiosity, care, and support as they navigate through life, holding on to aspects of their past that align with their future goals.

Outside of therapy, I am reading, crafting, doing Pilates or yoga, or spending time exploring new trails or restaurants with my friends, family, and miniature dachshund.

I received my Masters and Doctorate of Psychology in Clinical Psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University San Diego. I have experience providing treatment to adolescents, adults, and older adults from diverse populations across a range of identities and acuity levels in inpatient, partial hospitalization, and outpatient settings. I have worked with clients facing a wide range of clinical concerns, including depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, mood disorders, grief, and relationship difficulties. Through a psychodynamically-informed formulation, I approach my work with each individual with an understanding that their unique threads of thoughts, emotions, motivations, and behaviors are intricately woven to form the tapestry of their experience. I believe it is imperative to understand how an individual’s early attachments and interpersonal relationships have impacted their development and how these factors might have contributed to current difficulties. In addition to my psychodynamic approach, I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) to meet each individual’s unique needs. Please let me know if you have any questions about my qualifications or experience, I will be happy to answer them!

My approach is individualized rather than formulaic, as each person has different needs. I approach my work through a psychodynamic and relational lens that is insightful, reflective, and exploratory. This means that I tend to explore an individual's inner world beyond just symptoms to uncover and understand deeper patterns that someone is noticing in themselves, their relationships, or work, and look at where these patterns originated, what keeps them going, and together build insight into the function they serve and support you in deciding how they might shift. I see these patterns in the context of the whole person, recognizing how culture, family history, and lived experiences shape the lens through which we see ourselves, our relationships, and the world. As a first-generation Iranian and Peruvian woman, I deeply value culture and collaborate with clients to explore how their own cultural background and experiences have influenced their sense of self I also work to explore different parts of the self to gain a deeper understanding of the unconscious feelings and experiences, and how these are affecting the ways you think, act, react, think, feel, and relate. I also recognize that these unconscious experiences are felt, and sometimes it’s hard to put these feelings into words, so together we slow down to find an experiential way to give language to these emotions and experiences.

My work reflects my values of connection, compassion, curiosity, integrity, and respect for complexity.

Connection

Research has shown that emotions are meant to be received and responded to. Therefore, connecting in session allows for collaboration where we co-create understanding.

Compassion

Rather than approaching aspects you’re seeking to shift within yourself with judgment and negativity, I value compassionately looking at the protective function these behaviors/parts have played. Therefore, I approach with curiosity. Let’s explore the nuances of these parts.

Integrity

There is deep trust in opening up in therapy, and I hold integrity in aligning with the highest ethical and legal standards while also fulfilling my duties in a manner that fosters safety and security.

Respect for Complexity

I center our work in the understanding that larger systems (i.e., culture, family roles, social climate) shape our internal experiences. Additionally, we all respond to these larger systems differently, so I remain attuned to pacing, making sure we are not approaching emotional work prematurely.