Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Irvine, CA

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 28 years of experience in the mental health field. I earned my Master of Social Work (MSW) from the Hunter School of Social Work and have lived and practiced in California for over three decades. My professional background includes extensive work with older adults, individuals experiencing homelessness, and adults living with severe and persistent mental illness. I am known for my patient, compassionate, and attentive approach, and I strive to be fully engaged and present with every client I serve. My goal is to provide thoughtful, individualized support that helps clients feel understood and empowered in their therapeutic journey.

I hold a Masters in Marriage, Family, Child Counseling from San Francisco State University. I specialize in self-esteem and working with attachment-related trauma, which is sometimes referred to as complex trauma or inner child wounding. Complex trauma can often look like anxiety, depression, unhealthy patterns, or a cycle of unfulfilling relationships.

With 47 years of experience and a deep commitment to my clients' well-being, I'm dedicated to providing a supportive and effective therapeutic experience. I graduated from Chapman University with departmental honors in both Sociology and Social Work, and I hold a graduate degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy. My core strengths as a therapist are sincere empathy and deep listening, which I believe are the most powerful tools for fostering growth and healing. I am dedicated to continuous learning and am trained in a variety of therapeutic approaches, allowing me to tailor my methods to each client's unique needs.

I can understand first-hand how difficult it can be to reach out for help for the first time. I believe in the importance of "practicing what you preach" and I have been the client in the room who needs extra support. I invite you to give yourself a chance, try something new, and gain a healthy perspective on how to address complicated moments in your life.

My goal is to create a space where you feel seen, understood, and supported. I believe mental wellness is an essential part of overall health, and that healing begins by moving from survival to thriving through nervous system regulation, processing past experiences, and strengthening the mind-body connection. Meaningful change and healing happens within a strong therapeutic relationship built on trust, authenticity, and collaboration. Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, addiction, performance anxiety, work-related stress... or simply feeling overwhelmed by life's demands, we'll work together to build insight, process difficult experiences when appropriate, develop practical coping skills, and create meaningful, lasting change.

I work with adults and couples who feel stuck in patterns that insight alone hasn't changed. Specializing in anxiety, depression, gender affirming care, and Veteran care, I will provide a focused, grounded, and effective approach to therapy. My practice as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) is centered on helping clients clarify what is maintaining their difficulties and develop practical and sustainable ways of shifting them.

Whatever brought you here, you don’t have to figure it out alone. With over 12 years of experience supporting individuals and families, I’ve seen how much can shift when someone finally feels truly heard. Whether you’re working through something specific or simply feel ready for change, I’d be honored to walk alongside you and your loved ones on the path forward.

You may have held doubts about talk therapy and perhaps are thinking therapy may not work at all for what you are dealing with. Psychotherapy like all science is continually changing. Both new and long held approaches to well-being are vast. I invite you to consider Brainspotting before you rule out therapy entirely. My role as a Brainspotting clinician is to offer you support, as you discover your innate capacity for positive self change. I specialize in trauma focused therapy, specializing in treating anxiety disorders. I focus on various forms of addiction, OCD, behavioral issues, depression, bi-polar and mood disorders.

I am a masters level trained Brainspotting clinician and a U.S. Army veteran. I believe in facilitating change in a supportive environment, following and observing your amazing capacity to heal from trauma in your therapeutic work. I work with veterans, first-responders, and other populations struggling with unresolved trauma and anxiety disorders.

Your unique circumstances are to be understood, honored respected and explored in a judgement free, supportive and caring environment. The issues that you bring into therapy remain entirely up to you. I will listen to your wants and needs; joining you on the journey towards your desired sense of well-being.