I’m so glad you’re here!
My Therapeutic Style: Integrative and Neuro-Affirming
My therapeutic style is warm, accepting, engaged, and respectful. Using an integrative counseling method, we’ll work with various therapeutic styles as appropriate for your needs. These methods include:
Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Intimacy From The Inside Out (IFIO- IFS for couples)
Contemporary attachment -based psychodynamic therapy, which addresses lifelong emotional experiences and engrained relational patterns
Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) and/or Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples
Healing Shame
These are non-pathologizing modalities that work from a place of collaborative curiosity, self- understanding, and compassionate attunement. Additionally, we may utilize breath-work, mindfulness, and other complementary therapeutic methods to address your immediate concerns while fostering your current goals and future dreams. I am a trauma- informed and neuro- affirming therapist, and we’ll proceed at a pace that is comfortable for your nervous system. Our work together is person- centered, so you’re always the expert on you.
my values
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Communication is vital in therapy. A such, I will sometimes ask you if I’m understanding you correctly to ensure that I’m perfectly clear about what you’re saying. In addition, I may ask you if it is ok for me to interrupt you occasionally in order to confirm that I have an accurate sense of what you’re describing and experiencing. I will also ask you how our sessions are for you, to make sure that I am meeting your therapeutic needs.
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Therapy with me is a collaborative process. We’ll work together to understand what your main priorities are and how to best serve you to ensure your needs are met. In our work together, while I am right beside you, you are always the expert on you.
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Simple kindness can do wonders in softening our inner and outer critics and fostering compassion and patience with ourselves and others. This can lead to more fulfilling relationships with ourselves and with the ones we love.
My Education and Clinical Training
I am a CA Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I hold an Master’s in Science (MS) in Counseling Psychology from Dominican University of California, and completed my practicum at Dominican’s University Counseling Services (UCS) with Diane Suffridge, Ph.D. During my time at UCS, I was trained in psychodynamic control mastery theory, contemporary psychoanalytic psychotherapy, and CBT, with an emphasis on compassionate, neuro-affirming, and trauma- informed care.
I completed my post-graduate hours at a group practice called de la Rosa Psychotherapists, where I focused on couples, relationships, and individual adults. In this practice I trained in IFS (Internal Family Systems), IFIO (Intimacy From The Inside Out- IFS for couples), Healing Toxic Shame, and Emotionally Focused (EFT) modalities. I also completed trainings in Jungian Depth Psychology and working with mixed- neurotype couples.
I also hold an MA in art history with a focus on gender and women. My BA is from UC Berkeley, where I studied studio art and costume design. I am a 150-hour certified vinyasa yoga instructor and have spent over 30 years practicing and studying yoga, mindfulness, meditation, and breath-work. In addition, I am a 30-hour trained crisis and suicide prevention counselor.
Over the years I have worked clinically with clients from a wide range of religious, spiritual, professional, cultural, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds, as well as working with many clients from communities of color, the LGBTQIA+ community, first generation individuals/college students, students shifting from high school to college, student athletes, clients with eating disorders and/or OCD, late diagnosed neurodivergent individuals, neurodivergent individuals/couples, high achieving individuals, and couples experiencing betrayal, family concerns, and/or intimacy issues. I have worked with clients ages 17 to 82, and enjoy working with folks in various stages of their life journey.
MY Focus
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Relationships can be a struggle for many people, and it is quite common for people to seek support in the relational area. Whether you’re having the same argument again and again, can’t seem to connect like you used to, feel abandoned or betrayed, or are having trouble with intimacy, I am here to support you. I delight in working with couples and relationships of all sorts, and welcome you wherever you are in your relationship without judgement.
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Life is full of important transitions, many of which can prove challenging to navigate alone. Understanding who you are at your core is the key to making successful choices for yourself both personally and professionally. This is a big part of therapy- to get to know and understand your authentic self, your needs, your desires, what fills you up, what drains you, what excites you, what brings you joy, what scares you…..and why. This internal therapeutic work applies beautifully to people exploring life and/or professional transitions and helps increase self-knowledge and personal agency when making big choices. In addition to making choices, you may be going through shifts in family life or in your body, such as in peri-menopause or menopause. With all this in mind, I look forward to hearing what brings you in and how we can work together!
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Many individuals and couples struggle to understand themselves and/or their partners with respect to the complexities of neurodivergence and the impact it has on their lives. Perhaps you were late diagnosed or self -diagnosed and would like to process this in therapy. Perhaps you are part of a neurodiverse couple and could use support navigating confusing patterns of communication, difficult conflicts, or what feels like emotional disconnection in yourself or your partner. I am here to work on this with you with warmth, respect, and affirming support. I come from a perspective of supporting your unique life experiences, not trying to change to “fix” you.
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Anxiety can limit your life and cause deep physical and emotional distress. Our immediate impulse is often to rid ourselves of these painful sensations, and rightfully so! However, anxiety is usually trying to tell us something, remind us of something, or protect us from something. In our work together we can learn to understand these messages and work to get anxiety to step back a bit so that you can feel more relaxed and at peace.
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Trauma may be experienced in acute instances, such as an accident, or over a sustained period of time, such as in long-term abuse. As a result of trauma, some people may develop symptoms of PTSD or CPTSD, which include avoidance, flashbacks, hypervigilance, and negative mood/cognition. Talk therapy has been shown to be effective in helping to treat trauma, PTSD, and CPTSD. You don’t have to continue to suffer alone. We can process your experiences together, and at your pace, so that you may reach a place of integration and increased peace.
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Eating disorders are dangerous and can be very scary, both for the person experiencing them and for their loved ones. As an eating disorder survivor, I have lived experience in battling these challenges and deep compassion for the complexities that accompany mind/body difficulties. In working with disordered eating, Internal Family Systems (IFS) can be very useful. IFS recognizes the multiplicity inside of us and acknowledges that while some parts of us may want to stop our eating disordered behavior, others do not…as these behaviors are often actually a form of protection. Together we will work to understand what you are going through and how to best bring you increased peace, personal choice, confidence, and freedom. I look forward to meeting you and working with your brave heart.
My Background
I was born and raised in Sonoma County, on the unceded ancestral land of the Coast Miwok, Pomo, and Wappo people. I grew up in the West County, with the fortune of playing in its lush forest creeks, tall redwoods, open meadows, and blooming apple orchards. While I loved living in the country as a child, as an emerging adult I craved an urban experience and went to school at UC Berkeley. I also lived in San Francisco for many years, where I worked as a creative executive in its vibrant urban environment. Ultimately though, Sonoma County has my heart and I happily returned here in the early 2000s.
I have always been deeply interested in the human condition and studied this topic extensively through my early work in studio art and art history. Training to teach yoga after many years of practice furthered my understanding of how our body and mind are interwoven and how their relationship impacts our wellbeing. Over the years my focus revealed itself to be connection, communication, self-expression, and authentic self-understanding. This led me to study the art and science of psychotherapy, a synthesis of all the topics I treasure. I’m passionate about psychology, visual art, writing, music, plants, trees, movement, and my family and friends. It’s a distinct honor, pleasure, and privilege to serve and support the unique community which I hold so dear.
EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS
CA Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT #164756
MS, Counseling Psychology (duel focus on MFT/PCC), Dominican University of California
MA, Art History/ Women in Art, San Francisco State University (Award for Academic Excellence)
BA, Studio Art/Costume Design, University of California at Berkeley (Award for Distinguished Talent)
Additional Classes & Trainings
2026 Training: IFS Level 1, IFS Institute (currently in progress)
2026 Training: IFIO (Intimacy From The Inside Out/IFS for Couples), IFS Institute Learning Hub
2026 Training: The Therapist’s Toolkit For Working With Neurodiverse Couples, through the Couples Institute
2026 Course: Jungian Depth Psychology(5 workshop course), A Journey Inward/The Self Abandonment Wound, Eileen Ni Shuilleabhain (Sullivan)
2026 Workshops: Jungian Depth Psychology (3 workshops), Ancestral Intergenerational Wounding and Individuation, Eileen Ni Shuilleabhain (Sullivan)
2026 Course: Jungian depth Psychology (4 workshop course), Returning to the Well/Healing The Mother Wound, Eileen Ni Shuilleabhain (Sullivan)
2026, 2025, 2024 Trainings: Healing Toxic Shame, Tatra-Li de la Rosa LMFT 83945
2026, 2025, 2024 Trainings: Attachment, sexual wellbeing, disordered eating, and couples counseling through Internal Family Systems (IFS)/IFIO, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and relational lenses, Tatra-Li de la Rosa LMFT 83945
2024 Workshop: IFS Therapy for Healing Traumatic Wounds & Alleviating Anxiety (Clinical Applications of IFS Therapy), Dr. Alexia D. Rothman
2024 Trainings: Introduction to IFS, Tatra-Li de la Rosa, LMFT 83945
2024 Couples Therapy Class: From Conflict to Connection: Esther Perel
2023 Class: Women in peri/menopause, 6 hour class, Sutter Institute for Health and Healing, San Francisco
2023, 2022 Trainings: Psychodynamic/Control Mastery Theory (CMT) for depression, anxiety, dissociative disorders, eating disorders, and personality disorders, Diane Suffridge, Ph.D. (DUC)
2023, 2022 Trainings: Disordered eating/ body image, Willow Mind & Body ( DUC)
2022 Training: 30 Hour Crisis/Suicide Prevention, Crisis Textline
2022 Workshop: Psychodynamic/Control Mastery Theory for Personality Disorders, (SF Psychotherapy Research Group)
2022 CAMFT Class: Telehealth Law & Ethics
Professional Certificates, Designations, & Associations
IFS/IFIO (Internal Family Systems for individuals and couples) Informed
150+ Hour Certified Yoga Instructor, It’s Yoga San Francisco
30 Hour trained crisis/suicide intervention counselor
Member of ACBS
Member of CAMFT (General Association)
Member of Redwood Empire CAMFT (RECAMFT)
Member of Marin County CAMFT (MCAMFT)