Feeling like deep down you're a piece of trash or that your life would be ruined if others knew what you were really like is no way to live. Every day having this incredible inner struggle just to get through your day grows old pretty quickly. Feeling like you know a lot of people, yet feeling alone starts to just feel really hopeless after a while. I know it seems impossible because you've tried all the things that you know or have read to do, but relief from your suffering is entirely achievable if you're ready to collaborate on finding the solutions that truly work for you.

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I truly wish I had the power to magically heal people, but alas I'm as human as everyone else. In truth, I am a collaborator and you are the one that does most of the heavy lifting of changing your life. My job is to care about you, provide compassionate honesty, help you stay motivated, and teach you the skills you need at the right time in the process to heal yourself. You're in control and you can always say no to what I suggest. I try to approach this work with humility and respect for you because I believe you are strong and already have what you need to heal within you. Let's unlock it today! Learn more about how I think by checking out our blog >> 

I help adults of all ages who seek a more complete life face and conquer their obstacles and suffering by understanding what these events can teach them about themselves and how they can be used to continue to grow into the human being they wish to be. 

I truly believe that human beings have the power and strength to overcome any obstacle that they face, and it’s my hope in counseling to help you discover that power within you so that you not only overcome your present obstacles, but that you’re also able to overcome any future challenges you may face, too.

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Also, on a personal note, a lot of people are curious about my last name: it is actually of Italian descent (though I did live in Mexico for a few years and do speak Spanish fluently).

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Additional Language Capability: Spanish

 I support people who feel defined by their complex trauma(s) or life adversities to understand that (while impactful) these experiences do not have to define them or their future. I believe that building confidence in their ability to understand and have control over their mental health is achievable and realistic. I support individuals in reaching their life and relational goals through the co-creation of a compassionate, attuned and reflective therapeutic relationship that allows people to explore and establish their own strengths and abilities. I provide explorative questioning and curiosity that allows individuals to think deeper about their own thought and emotional processes and to understand themselves in support of change. 

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In my clinical experience and within my own life, I have truly found that any path towards healing involves an attuned, compassionate relationship. As a therapist, I often find myself honored and deeply humbled to be invited into the pain and experiences of others. I love the feeling of deep connection that comes when I am invited into the vulnerable and tender parts of people's lives and I enjoy showing people the dignity and honor they deserve when they are courageously showing those parts of themselves to me.

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As your therapist, I will be compassionate, understanding, and empathetic, while providing balanced pushes towards looking inward to find one's strength and abilities. As your therapist, I will work with you to move forward within sessions in a way that allows you to fulfill your goals and find balance. 

I help busy professional people of color between 21 and 50 who feel invisible or overwhelmed, resolve their trauma, anxiety, and feelings of “not being enough” by giving them an authentic space to connect, show up for themselves, and be heard.

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It is my guess that you have hidden parts of yourself for too long, attempting to be seen, valued, humanized. In our work together, we will celebrate the parts of you that have been hidden and overlooked. We will develop the skills to ensure you show up authentically in every room, and unapologetically take your power back. 

Many who suffer from anxiety and depression experience the symptoms you might expect. A sizable majority, however, also seem to battle daily with their “internal critic" - a seemingly separate entity residing in their mind that seems intent on robbing them of any joy or sense of real accomplishment in their lives. For some, this has  resulted in feelings that their mind is at war with them and leading them on a path towards self- destruction. The internal critic often reinterprets one’s own mistakes (real or imagined) and turns them into unpardonable sins that are deserving of relentless mental clobbering of the self. Many of us also struggle with what is known as “catastrophizing” - a process in which a given situation is eventually going to turn into... well... a catastrophe for which he or she is going to be held mercilessly responsible. A common thread for many individuals who struggle with an internal critic is that stopping themselves from either worrying about an impending catastrophe and/or relentlessly beating themselves up seems virtually impossible – ultimately, an existence of what seems like perpetual suffering.

If this sounds like your struggle, I welcome the opportunity to work with you. I've been humbled to learn that many have felt safe enough with me to even share about issues they have never felt comfortable talking about with anyone prior to coming into therapy. In my view, this level of safety and trust is a critical starting place to effective therapy. I believe the things that weigh us down the most become much lighter when they see the light of day and are handled with the utmost care by the right person. Surprisingly, some of my best (albeit unwitting trainees) were the troubled adolescents I provided direct care to when I started out in the field 30-plus years ago. The most valuable lesson that I learned: the best way to affect positive change in the lives of these young people was to build a positive working rapport with them. Interestingly, they had far less use for me prior to my investing in building any relationship with them.

As your therapist, I am dedicated to providing you with as much healing as I can from past trauma. In addition, I am also invested in your developing coping strategies that either keep your internal critic quiet, or at the very least getting him or her to be a far less intense presence when showing up, as well as keeping it to a much shorter visit.

I help men and women ages 18-45 who have found themselves lost within a terrifying and chaotic world to gain the strength, discipline, and willingness to make change toward living an authentic life.  I offer compassionate honesty and understanding that will challenge you to work toward your greatest potential despite the fears that may keep you stagnant.  As we make progress toward our goals our mood increases and research has related this to happiness.

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Life can be overwhelming and often we feel misunderstood, judged, not good enough, inferior, and even worthless and burdensome.  How could we not feel this way sometimes given the external pressures we face by society, family, friends, and this is in addition to our own internal voice?  Why would we continue to take risks when it is so clearly dangerous, and it is?

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As a therapist, I do not pretend I know you better than you know yourself.  No one does. I don’t assume I can magically fix your life; that would be a foolish claim.  What I can offer you is a relationship of trust, respect, and honesty.  I’m not going to simply tell you what you want to hear and send you on your way.  It can be all too easy to find this approach.  In order to help you, you may feel worse before you can feel better.  This likely means you are on the right path.  Not only am I comfortable with the darkness, I will walk through the depths of hell alongside you until you are ready to leave.  There is comfort there.