I have been encouraging children and adults to achieve freedom and serenity through the therapeutic process for over 30 years. My Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology in 1982 from San Francisco State University led me on a career path that covered many diverse fields, from helping to develop an award winning child abuse prevention program, to substance abuse intervention and treatment, to guiding parents to support their children in a multitude of healthy ways. Since 1988, I have worked in the school system as a counselor and directed several student and family support programs, where I had a role in aiding children and families to lead happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives.
In 2006 I attended the University of Northern Colorado to pursue my Doctorate in Counseling Psychology. There I became grounded in Positive Psychology and the Post Modern theories of psychotherapy, such as Constructive, Narrative and Solution Focused therapies. I also became skilled in Child Play Therapy.
As life would have it, I was unable to complete my Doctoral Program due to serious health challenges. In my struggle back to full health I truly comprehended, on a personal level, the need to adopt the tenets of Positive Psychology and the principles of the 12 Step Programs. The experiences I had during this period helped me to serve my clients in ever more compassionate, empathic and intuitive ways.
In my own life I have faced adversity and come through to the other side to achieve my lifelong goals. My practice encompasses all that I have learned on my journey, on an experiential, spiritual and theoretical level. My passion to assist my clients to achieve their goals is evident in all aspects of my work. I am particularly drawn to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy because I have seen it work, again and again, to help people get out of the problem and into the solution. To learn more about the techniques and services I employ, and the successes my clients have had, please view the Children and Adult Services tabs.
License: LPCC # 732
Author: Keeping Kids Safe, A Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Manual, Pnina Tobin and Sue Levinson Kessner, Hunter House (2002)
Associations:
CA Association of Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors
American Counseling Association