Addiction Therapists in Sacramento, CA

I offer expertise in evidence-based treatments for anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties. I use a collaborative and strengths-based approach that integrates cultural factors as appropriate. I was raised in an inner-city, urban area, and I carry a high level of understanding for individuals that come from marginalized environments like myself. I also specialize in professional and work stress. I have been a business owner, philanthropist, and investor for almost 30 years. I have experience with high output career stress and how it can affect us.

In my more than twenty-five years as a healing professional and coming from a background that includes theater, teaching, banking and hospital administration, I have come to view psychotherapy as less a set of scientific procedures than as a healing art. I believe that everyone has a primary need to be heard, seen, and known. I have the experience and sensitivity to gain trust and be totally present with my client's life story and to hear, see, and understand everything I can that will help me assist in the recovery process.

In these unprecedented times, navigating life's complexities can feel overwhelming. As your companion on this therapeutic journey, I offer a sanctuary of understanding and compassion. Together, we'll unravel the layers of uncertainty, finding strength and resilience amidst the challenges. Let's create a narrative of hope, healing, and growth tailored to the unique chapters of your life during these extraordinary times.

Welcome! I offer support for your journey to a balanced, peaceful, and happy life. I have a passion for guiding clients through their journey of finding peace, balance, and happiness in life. I view therapy as a collaborative effort between the client and the therapist. I support my client's unique individuality, life experience, and their personal story. I value openness, acceptance, and laughter, and I strongly believe that we are all in a lifelong process of growth and change. Using empathy and compassion, I provide support and practical feedback to help clients resolve current problems and long-standing patterns.

Relationships are as important to us as food and water. They can strengthen us, like a vitamin, or weaken us, like the flu. You are only as good in relationships as the relationships you have been in. As your therapist I can assist you in many ways. I can help you learn more about yourself, increase both self-compassion and compassion for others, and heal past trauma. Together, we can explore how to feel more connected to yourself, your values, and people you care about.

I may be a psychotherapist, but I’m also a person in the world and not that different from you. I have a family and have been a lifelong learner. I grew up in a large, extended family who were working class. My family is diverse - different ethnicities, religious backgrounds, class levels, disabilities, educational levels, gender/sexualities, ages, geographical origin. As a person, I have had a few struggles and a few triumphs. I try to learn from life, my mistakes, other people, and my professional/academic experiences. I like to think that all these experiences have made me a better person and a better psychotherapist.

Each of us deserve to lead a happy and healthy life. Yet life's challenges can be overwhelming and seem unresolvable. I provide non-judgmental feed-back to help you clarify those challenges, your goals, options and your own inner strengths. Knowing our strengths and making our own choices are steps toward the life we want. My experience includes trauma (such as sexual abuse and other issues specific to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), victims of domestic abuse and/or violence, mood disorders, depression, alcohol and drug issues and those with dual diagnoses.

Are you dealing with some big changes in your life? Or, have you experienced something scary and upsetting? Are you feeling weighed down by your past and unable to move forward? My role as a therapist is to help you gain power over your life. Empowerment leads to freedom and reduced fear of the world around you, and self-empowerment starts with self-compassion. As a therapist, I act as a guide in a powerful process that helps you get closer to the things you want out of life. I offer non-judgmental support and encouragement. I have often been described as calming, attentive, compassionate and easy to talk to.

So often we compromise our own needs to please someone else. We might have learned to do this as children to get along with our parents and family members. As we move into adulthood, this habit stays with us and can cause us to feel lonely, confused, not good enough, and a sense that something important is missing in our lives.

In our lives we experience painful feelings, and at times we may feel off-balance and lost. You may find that this is a time of more acute emotional suffering and that your existing coping strategies are not holding you. I offer compassionate support and tools to help you identify both immediate and sustaining antidotes to your current struggle. I use a holistic approach to helping my clients, which may include a combination of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Buddhist-oriented psychology and mindfulness approaches, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, emotion regulation, motivational interviewing, and communication skills training.

During times of life changes, trauma, grief, and loss it is easy to forget about your inherent strengths and resilience when you are struggling to function in your daily activities and create inner peace. Your experiences may feel like they are piling up against you, you may feel unbalanced, and may be are struggling to find a way to maintain safety and security for yourself. During times of need, you may forget how to navigate through life's challenges and take care of yourself. I work with individuals who are trying to create stability and wellness in all areas of their lives with a supportive guide by their side.

Whichever battle or challenge you may be facing, I can provide support to help you thrive rather than survive. During the valleys of our journey, support can be helpful to bring light and understanding. I like to highlight your inner strength in order to promote positive change. I'll help you through this time by building and celebrating your resiliency. I work from a variety of therapy models, and I like to match the style that will best fit your needs, including, but not limited to Solution-focused therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.

Transitional Experiences happen! Kids' families become disjointed from divorce. Tweens become Teens. Individuals in their early 20's wonder what the next step is "for them". 30-somethings sometime face life-path decisions, maybe even boredom? Beloved pets or family members pass away. Married people are suddenly "single-again". the mid-life 50's often come with health issues that completely throw people for a loop! The 60+ often involve taking care of aging parents or are facing the death experience themselves! Grandparents sometimes find themselves raising their children's children! What is going ON?

I applaud you for the courage it takes to explore change and enrich your life. I assure you that whatever fears, regrets, resentment or grief you are carrying, you are not alone. I believe therapy is an opportunity to explore your inner wisdom as We navigate solutions to your life experiences. I cultivate a welcoming, supportive, and safe environment. Each person is unique, therefore my therapeutic approach is tailored to support your needs.

I work with individuals, couples, families, and children. I believe when relationships are torn apart due to unresolved issues, severe life stressors and negative behaviors affect life functioning.The last alternative anyone wants to seek is guidance. Allow me to help develop reachable and attainable goals and outcomes.

My experience started in 2010, working in an inpatient facility for an eating disorder residential program for about two years. From there, I moved on to working as a therapist at a residential program treating adolescents with dual diagnoses. I also opened my private practice at that time and saw clients remotely. Currently, I’m working at Sober Living, helping adults deal with various addictions And mental health as well as seeing couples, families, and individuals through Telehealth. The modalities that I use often are CBT, DBT solution focus, and psychodynamic.

As a therapist, it is my aim to help my clients cultivate the best version of themselves. As we move through life, our experiences may have shifted how we see ourselves and the world around us causing distress within and perhaps between others. I believe that we can effect change by getting to know ourselves on an entirely different level. Holding compassion and empathy for our own struggles is paramount to building back the trust in ourselves which can bring upon more satisfaction in our life. I am passionate about helping my clients connect and understand these parts about themselves to cultivate more harmony, balance and trust.

I believe in the healing force within each person and its natural inclination to arc towards wholeness and health. If we want it enough, have patience, clarity and support we can heal and feel freedom in life. Growth happens best in relationship and I am here to support you on your path, wherever that might be. I am anchored in Jungian psychology, Existentialism and AEDP/Somatic work. More importantly, I try to cultivate a sense of warmth, care, respect and curiosity in my work with clients. I work with clients experiencing: anxiety, depression, grief, relationship/family issues, PTSD, self-criticism and lack of meaning.

Do you turn to food, alcohol, or drugs to deal with feeling lonely or rejected, or to cope with added stress and anxiety? Have you lost the joyful feelings that you used to have in life? Do you feel fear stricken, even in the “comfort” of your own home? Do you feel like there are so many things to manage and your forever growing “to do list” leaves you feeling completely overwhelmed? I work with women who have experienced tough stuff in their childhood and feel like they have lost their way. Sometimes we turn to food, alcohol, and drugs or, we withdraw from friends and family, just to cope. Does this sound like you?