Bipolar disorder therapists & psychiatrists in Lake Forest, CA

I am available to assist with many of the current issues that are affecting us all. Issues os depression, anxiety and PTSD are impacting many. Relationship and communication challenges are problematic. Challenging adolescents and children suffering from ADHD or Learning Disabilities are impacting family life. I can assist you with these common challenges, and help to provide and process solutions.

Hello! I provide psychiatric evaluations and medication management for children (6+), teens, adults, and seniors. Life can feel overwhelming when anxiety, depression, ADHD, or bipolar mood swings affect your energy, focus, relationships, and daily life. I believe mental health care should feel supportive, comfortable, and personalized. As a board-certified PMHNP with over five years of experience, I help individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and other mental health concerns.

As a therapist I'm here for you. It seems brave to me make a decision to come to therapy. My part is to listen and without judgment or personal agenda and to be effective in your needs and wants. Of course, I also need to be aware of the legals and ethicals of therapy. I attended Sarah Lawrence College and Harvard University for my BA, and Phillips Graduate Institute for my MA.

I have lived in the Truckee Tahoe area off an on for over 30 years, I have an AA Degree in Early Child Development, a BA Degree from the University of California Santa Cruz, and I attended the University of. Nevada, Reno for my Masters in Social Work.

My husband and I have two grown children who live in Northern CA and Nevada. We are avid skiers, mountain bikers, and my hobbies include cooking, art, writing, and learning, and of course, playing with our mini golden doodle, Joaquin.

My roots are in Scranton, Pennsylvania; growing up, life was challenging and unpredictable for me and my sisters. I was the first member of our extended family who was able to put themselves through both undergraduate (BA - Latin American Studies/UCSC, and graduate school (MSW- Masters in Social Work, (UNR) and graduate with honors.

All three of my younger sisters followed in my footsteps to pursue higher education and to find success as Professionals.

My husband and I moved to the Tahoe/Truckee area together in the early 1990s, pursuing seasonal employment. We somehow made ends meet, things got a little easier each year, and he later pursued a career in resort and business management, while I pursued continuing education, mental health and licensure, and opening up my practice.

Our son and a daughter both grew up enjoyed attending local public schools in Truckee, and later the Univeristy of California; they are both living fulfilling adult lives in the nearby region.

It is okay to not be okay! Whether it be depression, anxiety, addiction, trauma, sexuality or life transitions, we can create a space for healing to begin.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Masters in Clinical Psychology. For ten years I have provided individual, family, and group therapy in hospital settings, residential treatment centers, and outpatient treatment centers.

I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Northern California with a decade of experience working with clients and families from various backgrounds. I seek to empower clients while being grounded in the realistic restrictions that time, life circumstances, and competing demands can place on an individual. With your expertise in yourself, I would like to work together to create a shared understanding to determine the path forward that works best for you.

My focus

I specialize in working with adults facing depression, anxiety, grief, PTSD, occupational stress, relationship conflicts, cultural and identity issues, and survivors of abuse. I help clients build understanding and chart a path forward using evidence-based approaches.

My communication style

My style is nurturing, accepting, empathic, and personable. I use unconditional positive regard to help you feel safe without judgment. I validate how you feel and normalize your situation so you can feel comfortable and at ease in our work together.

My journey to mental healthcare

I became a therapist because I have always accepted others, regardless of their background or circumstances. I believe in advocating for those who may not otherwise have a voice.

I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who believes that therapy works best when you feel truly heard — not judged. I bring warmth, honesty, and a no-nonsense approach to our work together. My goal is for every client to leave each session feeling a little more understood and a little more equipped than when they walked in. I work with most major insurance plans, so getting quality care shouldn't have to break the bank.

I believe the speed of the leader is the speed of the gang. My goal is-always to lead by example. My personal life shines with the same light that I encourage my clients to follow. My approach to life is to live abundantly in whatever circumstance comes my way. I love working with new and ongoing clients who are not just interested in “getting through “ life challenges, but are interested in "growing through life challenges. I love clients who are open to the possibilities that will appear to them when they shift their thinking from scarcity to an abundance mindset .

My work is grounded in behavioral therapy, and a firm belief that people can change. I prefer a flexible and collaborative approach that evolves as we work together. Though the foundation of my work is behavioral, I develop integrated treatment plans for each new client, drawing on other evidence-based modalities and new research.