My Background

I have been working with individuals who want to make a significant change in their lives for over 25 years. My work at the VA Palo Alto in various roles focused on providing substance use treatment and care for veterans with chronic medical conditions (diabetes, obesity, heart disease, etc.). As a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers, I also served the VA national initiative to train treatment providers in Motivational Interviewing. I have also worked in private practice, taught and supervised at Palo Alto University, and participated in conducting research through VA Palo Alto and Stanford. Throughout my career I have focused on providing therapy that is informed by research and utilizing empirically backed methods. My clients benefit from my willingness to look at what works even if it doesn’t match up with traditional thinking on behavior change.

How I work

I find gratification in fostering collaborative partnerships with my clients. I work with people looking to make a change in behavior that isn’t serving them. Whether it be conquering addiction, establishing healthy habits, or pursuing a goal, I offer you help and guidance that fosters change by utilizing research backed tools that have been shown to be effective. As anyone who has tried to make a significant change in their life knows, change is hard. I have been where you are and know how challenging it can be.

It is evident that a standardized method for behavior change does not exist. My focus lies in understanding your priorities and clarifying your core values. This enables us to devise a tailored roadmap toward the outcomes you define while accessing your motivation throughout the journey. Each individual is confronted with a distinct set of circumstances. My expertise lies in grasping the intricacies of your situation and addressing the unique obstacles you encounter. I firmly believe that you possess unparalleled insight into your own life. Thus, the reciprocal exchange of knowledge between us is key to making the changes you want in the way you want.

I draw on tools and modalities that have shown to be highly effective in facilitating meaningful strides towards behavior change. My primary approach encompasses evidence-based methodologies such as Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment, Mindfulness, and Solution-Focused Therapy. These strategies not only offer a strong empirical foundation but also enable me to establish a secure, empathetic, cooperative, and non-judgmental rapport with clients throughout the therapeutic process.

My Values

My values as a psychologist are fundamental to how I deliver support and guidance. I firmly believe in the importance of tailoring treatment to each person, recognizing that there is no universal solution. I aim to demystify the therapy process by being open and transparent, ensuring that progress and benefits can be achieved without endless sessions. It is crucial to me to collaborate with you towards achieving outcomes that resonate with your vision and sense of well-being, rather than imposing predefined therapy goals. Ultimately, my goal is to assist you in living a life aligned with your own values and utilizing methods that have been shown to be helpful in getting you there.