My Background


I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) with over twelve years of experience working in mental health.

Advanced Training
I am currently undertaking advanced, post-graduate training in modern day psychoanalysis*. This specialized training is perhaps the most selective, rigorous and extensive clinical education that mental health clinicians can undertake. It greatly deepens a clinician’s understanding of people and psychology and enhances the quality of all of their therapeutic work. Whether you choose to see me for psychotherapy, couples counseling, or psychoanalysis, you’ll receive the benefit of my training.

*Contemporary psychoanalysis is both a therapy and an orientation that brings into focus invisible influences of emotional suffering by compassionately exploring the deeper workings of someone's mind. It focuses on helping people overcome longstanding problems or self-defeating patterns that have been resistant to change. People find it tremendously useful in addressing present-day life issues.  

Medications
I have dual training as a psychotherapist and as a clinical pharmacist specializing in psychiatry.   While my work with people focuses on psychological growth through psychotherapy, I have extensive training and clinical experience related to the use of psychiatric medications.  I am comfortable working with people who are taking medications for mental health-related problems and I am quite knowledgeable when it comes to helping people sort through the pros and cons of taking medication, pursuing psychotherapy, or both.  I also enjoy helping people develop greater emotional stability so that they can discontinue their medications.

Please note that I am not a psychiatrist and I do not prescribe medication.  If you begin psychotherapy with me and we determine that you should also take medication, I can help you obtain the medication through your general practice physician or by referring you to one of my psychiatrist colleagues.

Education
  • Candidate (psychoanalyst-in-training), San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis (SFCP)
  • M.A., Psychology, California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS)
  • Ph.D., Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Credentials
  • Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist #40511)
  • Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist (Registered Pharmacist Licencse #43623)
Affiliations
  • San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis (SFCP)
  • Northern California Society for Psychoanalytic Psychology (NCSPP)
  • American Psychoanalytic Association (APsaA)
  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), Member of the Mental Health Professional Group
  • Open Path: the Fertility and Adoption Resource of Northern California (Open Path)
  • California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
  • Assistant Clinical Professor, UCSF School of Pharmacy
  • College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP)