ABOUT ME

I would like to share some information about my background with you that I hope will give you a better understanding of who I am and how I work.

I am a Michigan native and attended the University of Michigan where I studied psychology and anthropology. As an undergraduate, I conducted a field study in native shamanic healing among the Swahili tribe of Kenya and also received training in biofeedback therapy becoming one of the first certified biofeedback therapists in the United States. I went on to obtain a masters degree in Clinical Psychology from Eastern Michigan University and subsequently another masters degree in Health Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology where I focused my training in behavioral medicine and cognitive behavioral therapy.

I now have over 20 years of experience as a licensed psychotherapist. I have helped hundreds of people from all walks of life improve the quality of their lives through individual counseling, classes, workshops, seminars and lectures. I have extensive experience in mind/body therapy using tools such as Biofeedback, Mindfulness Training, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to treat problems such as Headache, Muscle Pain, Bruxism, Reynaud’s Disorder, Autoimmune Disorders as well as Anxiety and Depression. As the director of the biofeedback center at Kaiser Permanente, I helped create the wellness programs including Stress Management, Smoking Control, Mindfulness Training, Insomnia Management and developed the stress management CD series used in all San Diego regional programs. I am also a published sleep researcher and former Sleep Disorders Center coordinator with expertise in treating sleep disorders including Insomnia and Bruxism. As the former co-director of the Bio-Behavioral Treatment Center, I have also worked extensively with children and adults with Attention Deficit Disorder. I also have specialized experience working with transplant patients, police/fireman and students.

Helping couples improve the quality of their relationship through carefully guided exploration and systematically guided exercises using concepts developed by experts such as John Gottman and Harville Hendrix is also a rewarding part of my practice.

I have had the privilege of working with such prestigious organizations as Loma Linda University Medical Center, Grossmont Hospital Medical Center, Harbor View Hospital Sleep Disorders Center, San Diego, the University of California-San Diego and the San Diego Police Department.

I have lived, and studied in Asia, Africa and Latin America and work with cultural issues in families, couples, and individuals. I speak Spanish used to speak Swahili and have expertise in cross-cultural psychotherapy.

Professional Affiliations:

California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists

Northern California Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Association

Fellow of the American Institute of Stress

American Sleep Association

Anxiety Disorders Association of America

International Positive Psychology Association

National Certified Counselor  NCC

Distance Certified Counselor  DCC

Business Consulting

In addition, I hold an MBA with expertise in organizational behavior, cross cultural business processes/integration and global strategic planning. I have provided customized workshops, seminars, and training to companies from small family businesses to Fortune 500 businesses, helping to improve corporate culture and productivity.

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