HEALING COLLECTIVE - Key Persons
Raised from humble beginnings in El Sereno, I was called to social work at an early age. My hard-working parents instilled a strong work ethic in my early childhood as they sacrificed daily to provide for me. I was the kid that everyone wanted to confide in, and I delighted in being a loyal friend. I suppose my earliest experiences in life taught me the meaning of compassion, caring, and kindness - so becoming a social worker was just natural for me. I am happy to be part of The Healing Collective, PC Pasadena, California team.
Over the past 20 years, my work has included providing service to the most vulnerable and underserved populations throughout Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley. I believe strongly in creating change through connection and strive to help others in purposeful ways.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and have been a therapist for ten years. While I grew up on the East Coast, I have been a very happy Californian for 30 years.
I am a proud member of both the LGBTQIAS2+ and differently abled bodied population and have spent several years enhancing and promoting ways to provide mental health support to the unique intersectional needs of both groups. And most importantly, I am a fierce mama bear to a Gender Queer Non-Binary beauty.
I use an eclectic approach to address the diverse needs of every individual I work with. I am trained and certified in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, and crisis-oriented services. Additionally, I am continually enhancing my skills in affirmative therapy, mindfulness, and emotional transformation therapy - all within a solution-focused humanistic approach.
I was inspired to become a therapist early on in life. I was drawn toward wanting to help my family or friends when they were going through difficult times. Not necessarily to give advice, but to make sure they knew I was there to listen without judgment and give them a space to talk freely. This soon developed into a passion for wanting to help others by being there for them, offering a safe space to be vulnerable, explore their thoughts and feelings, break patterns of unwanted behaviors, and guide them toward relief and resolution.