About Me

Therapy is a collaboration the therapist and client engage in together. It involves an active effort on both of our parts.

Hired by you to help you develop insight and skills, my intention is for you to feel heard and supported in your effort to grow. With therapy you expand and refine your "emotional toolbox" taking home with you new habits of mind and body for your journey along the paths of life.

My work with clients is informed by academic and intellectual studies as well as personal life experiences and a vibrant curiosity about the human mind, body and spirit. I earned my Masters degree at Portland State University Graduate School of Social Work. I am currently recognized by the State of Oregon as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); am certified as a Cultural Competency Trainer through the Oregon Commission on Children and Families; and have specific training in Forensic Mental Health Assessment. My undergraduate degree is in Gender and Ethnic Studies in Applied Theory with a double minor in Hispanic Studies and Education from Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts.

My past professional experience includes: advocacy and support with adult and child domestic and sexual violence survivors; community organizing; anti-oppression training and consultation; nutrition needs assessment and education with developmentally disabled adults and children; international educational program development and cultural exchange program facilitation; school-based mental health service provision for elementary, middle and high school students and their families; clinical case management with at-risk and homeless adolescents; mentorship of LGTBQ youth; child and family sexual abuse survivor treatment and non-offending parent education and support; therapeutic social work intervention with adults in a County Health Department clinic; forensic mental health evaluation for immigration cases; and over ten years of private practice as a psychotherapist/counselor working with adolescents and adults individually, in couples and groups. I work in both Spanish and English.

In the more than 20 years that I have worked with children, youth, families, and adults, I have developed a framework that helps people explore who they are in the context of their families, social identity groups, the work they do, where they live, and their life experiences during this historical time on the planet. Having lived and worked in a number of cities in the US and Latin America, I have witnessed myriad ways that people demonstrate their strengths and nourish themselves. It is a privilege to participate in fostering health and wellness in our community.