About Rebel Hearts Counseling, Inc
My Background
I have grown through what I go through, and I have learned the hard way that I can’t change anyone but myself. My life’s work has been learning to be honest with myself, and I am passionate about helping my clients walk this same path.
My educational journey started at Santa Monica College, where I took every history class available to me before graduating with honors. I continued with another degree at UC Santa Cruz, followed by graduate school at San Francisco State University, where I earned my Masters in US History. After a small break I discovered my true purpose is helping people who are struggling with addiction and mental health issues, and this prompted me to enroll in an Alcohol and Drug program and pursue another Masters degree from JFK University.
I am revealing this to you because we all have journeys that either take us closer to, or further from, ourselves. In conjunction with my years of schooling, I learned to walk with fear, maintain sobriety, and navigate relationships that vastly affected me. I experienced going from potential to actualization – many times over. I’ve had a lot of help and practice at learning to maintain the most important relationship I’ll ever have: the one I have with myself.
How We Work Together
During your free initial consultation we will discuss your needs and what you’re looking for in a therapist. We will also discuss insurance, cost, and our scheduling capacity, and then it’s up to you to decide if you wish to work together. My feelings won’t be hurt if we’re not a fit, that’s a normal part of this process. But if you wish to move forward together, I will send intake paperwork via the Therapy Notes portal.
Our first in-person or telehealth session (via Zoom) will, in part, be about the intake documents, informed consent, fees, and lots of other ethical and legal information. I love this part of our first meeting because I get the opportunity to learn about your strengths, how you manage challenges, what your current coping styles are, and what you have learned no longer helps you. I find intake sessions to be hopeful and encouraging. This first session helps us both understand where you want to begin, how I can best serve you, and what your goals are so that we can form the best treatment plan, together, to help you nurture your most important relationship–the one you have with yourself.
Creating a Safe Space
I am committed to creating an environment where you feel safe to discuss and understand symptoms, triggers, the practice of current “survival coping skills,” and how you communicate your needs/wants to others. By developing awareness of your patterns, we can develop more opportunities for choice. This can help you begin to notice common themes in what has felt disruptive or unhealthy for you. Creating a safe space together is the foundation that allows us to to understand how, when, and why you “react” or “respond” to people, places, and situations in your life.
Helping you to find the right tools
I’ve found using multi-modality techniques (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Expressive Arts) is what helps me best serve my clients. You never know what approach might be the key that helps you get a “wink from your higher self”. Therapy continues beyond our 50-minute session. It is a daily practice of engagement throughout your life. My main goal is helping you find tools to maintain your healing process. Data and research is constantly evolving, and we have access to more tools than ever. Some examples I use are: worksheets, social media resources, apps, TED Talks, podcasts, book recommendations, documentaries.
Expertise
My Life Experience
My personal experience comes from many years working in the addiction and recovery field before becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist.
I’ve been in recovery for many years (one day at a time), and I have discovered that I’m pretty good at helping folks in recovery.
Recovery Counseling
My Focus
Healing comes from within; rarely, if ever, does it come from “outside” of us. I am not only focused on 12-step programs, as there are many other ways to be in recovery that promote personal growth.
I understand that it is a personal choice to be in recovery, and there are many ways to do it. If 12-step programs “don’t work” for you, that is okay.
I draw from multiple therapeutic approaches so that your treatment suits your needs. Your treatment is just as authentic as you are and our collaboration is intricate with focus of recovery.
Our Focus
Together we can focus on your goals —whether trauma-related, exploring relapse potentiality, coping tools to improve self-care, reducing anxiety and depression symptoms, exploring grief and loss, or co-dependency traits.
Individual Counseling
Your Experiences and Goals
As the client, you are the expert of your experience, and our sessions are about your experiences and the goals you seek to work on.
It could be improving your communication skills with friends, family, your loved one(s), learning to be “less” reactive and more responsive, managing stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, or finding ways to get the courage to change careers.
Modalities I Draw From
I also draw interventions from stress management, mood and emotions interventions, use of Seeking Safety for co-occurring issues, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, as well as other modalities. I have found the use of multi-modality techniques to help a wide range of treatment goals.
My Education
I am proud to say I am the first in my family to go to college. It has been an incredible journey, one I encourage for anyone, and it would not be possible if not for the number one change made in my life —getting and staying sober. I also recognize my accomplishment as an opportunity to be a role model for my family and friends.
- Santa Monica College- Liberal Arts w/ Honor 2002
- UC Santa Cruz- Bachelors in U.S. History 2004
- San Francisco State University-Master’s In History 2007
- UC Berkeley Extension- Alcohol and Drug Studies Programs, 2010
- John F. Kennedy- Counseling Psychology with MFT, 2011
Professional Affiliations
- CAMFT
- Monterey Bay CAMFT 2021
- California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals
