You have spent your entire career helping everyone else. It’s your turn.

In my career I have worked in settings that included graphic and sometimes traumatic events including a pediatric burn center, and community mental health agencies with clients that struggled with high rates of suicide attempts and parasuicidal behavior. As I tell my first responder clients, “I’ve seen some sh—.” I utilize humor when appropriate, and am very direct in my approach (I grew up in New York and lived in Boston for ten years before moving to California. Yes, I pronounce my r’s. No I am not a Yankees fan. We all have our flaws.)

Sessions with me are places where you do not need to self-sensor your experiences. Over my 20+ years in social work there isn’t much I haven’t seen or heard. What I know though is that it is damn near impossible to carry it by yourself. There are calls you shouldn’t respond to alone. This is one of them.

I utilize common evidence-based approaches for trauma such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), and Mindfulness. I also integrate CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy) and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) which are evidence-based approaches commonly used for the treatment of anxiety and depression.

Of note, I do not do fitness for duty evaluations. I find that the concern that I may report something that results in the loss of your employment becomes a barrier in the therapeutic alliance. However, there are situations in which your medical record may be requested and we will discuss the risks and benefits of this before we begin working together as well as when specific circumstances arise. Of note, I am not a lawyer, nor can I provide legal advice, however I can provide a list of culturally competent legal service providers if the need arises.

I can meet with clients via telehealth so that you can be in a private location where you are comfortable or in person in my San Francisco office.

If you are in agency leadership and would like to discuss group support for your team, please contact me via my contact form to discuss your specific needs and how I might be helpful.