About Me

I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who specializes in LGBTQ Affirmative Therapy and who works with individual adults, including committed adults in many configurations.

I have over 20 years of clinical experience as an adult & family therapist, two years of training working specifically with the LGBTQ population, and three years experience teaching at the college level, one of those years as an Assistant Professor teaching graduate students in Clinical Psychology. I currently maintain a private practice in Berkeley & Castro Valley, California, and have been in private practice since 2013.

My style of therapy is interactive and solution-focused. While my work is informed by narrative therapy, I use many other techniques where appropriate. However, my goal is to always work collaboratively with clients and to remain culturally sensitive while providing support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges.

As an LGBTQ Affirmative Therapist I encourage clients to accept their sexual orientation or/and gender identity. I do not attempt to eliminate same-sex or transgender desires or behaviors. I believe that homosexuality, bisexuality, and transgenderism and transsexuality are not illnesses. I believe that embracing and affirming ones identity may be a key component to recovery from other problems one is facing.

I integrate complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. With compassion and understanding, I work with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.

I work with adults dealing with a wide range of problems including family conflict, couple relationships issues, sexual issues, sexual identity issues, gender identity issues, depression, anxiety, trauma, loss and grief, addictions, stress management, and managing normal major life transitions.

In addition to my clinical experience, I have presented at National conferences and to general audiences speaking on the following topics: Clinical Practice Guidelines for Treatment of Adults with Depression; Questioning Identity: The experience of transition for lesbian partners of FTMs; FTM Transition and the Lesbian Relationship: his, hers, theirs as a couple, and their relationship with larger systems; Treatment Issues when Working with LGBTQ Clients; Treatment Issues for LGBTQQI Couples, Transgender Clients and Treatment Issues; Adolescent Transgender Clients & Developmental Issues; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Parenting and Clinical Issues, and Phenomenological Research.

Education

2006 Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD)/Clinical Psychology:
Alliant International University-California School of
Professional Psychology, San Francisco Campus.

1999 Masters of Science (MS) in Psychology:
Georgia College & State University, Milledgeville,
Georgia.

1992 Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude:
State University of New York at Oswego, Oswego,
New York.

License, Specializations, & Certifications

Clinical Psychologist License # PSY 23467

Trained in EMDR

Additional Training

2012 Transforming Lives Through EMDR Levels II & III: Laurel Parnell, PhD

2009 Transforming Lives Through EMDR Levels I & II: Laurel Parnell, PhD

2006 Transforming Conflict and Building Love: Integrative Problem-Centered
Couples Therapy with Bill Pinsof, PhD

2005 The Treatment of African American Clients and Families: Nancy Boyd
Franklin and Anderson J Franklin

2004 Building Solutions with Complex and Difficult Families: with Insoo Kim
Berg

Professional Activities and Memberships

• Cognitive Behavioral Group Treatment
• Mindfulness Based Relaxation Groups
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
• Group Treatment
  • Depression
  • Social Skills
  • Anxiety Management
  • Relapse Prevention
  • Stress Management
  • Awareness of Trauma and Symptom Management