I have been working in the counseling field since 2001, beginning as a residential and non-public school counselor for children and teenagers in a Level 14 setting. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families in a variety of settings and life circumstances. Prior to earning my master's degree in 2008, I was fortunate to work in several specialized positions because of my qualifications and experience, including alcohol and drug treatment, sexual assault services, and domestic violence treatment.

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I truly enjoy what I do and do not consider it simply a job, but rather a calling. It is an incredible honor to walk alongside individuals, couples, families, and children as they pursue healing, growth, and the goals that matter most to them. One of my greatest joys is helping people recognize the value and worth they already possess.

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Clients often describe me as compassionate, humble, approachable, and someone who brings both wisdom and a good sense of humor into the counseling room. I am passionate about helping people reach their fullest potential and strive to reflect those same values through my personal involvement in the community outside of counseling.

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I value holistic and natural approaches that can complement emotional well-being while also recognizing the important role medication can play when appropriate. I have received training from Dr. Michael Lara regarding the nutritional and scientific research surrounding foods and supplements that may support mental health, including symptoms of anxiety and depression. I believe God has provided us with many tools that can contribute to healing, and I believe treatment should always be individualized to each person's unique needs.

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I am a proud parent of two wonderful neurodiverse teenagers and actively homeschool them. In addition, I facilitate a mental health consultation group focused on professional growth, clinical development, and enhancing decision-making skills for fellow therapists. I proudly identify as Mexican, Nicaraguan, and Black.

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My personal journey has also shaped the therapist I am today. As a young adult, I underwent open-heart surgery following stress-related heart disease. Earlier in life, I experienced a traumatic childhood that included gang involvement, abusive and neglectful family dynamics, addiction, natural and societal disasters, and the loss of close family members and friends.

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Through time, reflection, my own counseling, and a deep relationship with God, I came to better understand how those experiences influenced my relationships, decision-making, and view of myself. That journey has given me not only professional knowledge, but also genuine empathy for those who are working through difficult seasons of life.

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Today, I use both my professional training and personal experiences to support others on their own paths toward healing and personal growth. My Christian faith is an important part of who I am and serves as the foundation of my life. Through my relationship with God, personal counseling, and my local church community in Davis, I continue to grow both personally and professionally.

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Outside of counseling, I enjoy spending time with my family, teaching, camping, reading, playing and listening to music, swimming, and kickboxing. I also serve as a 2nd Lieutenant with the Civil Air Patrol Air Force Auxiliary and volunteer as an adult leader with Scouting America.

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Are We a Good Fit?

Finding the right therapist is an important part of the counseling process. I want you to feel comfortable asking questions and making sure that my approach is a good fit for your needs.

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Before your first appointment, I provide a complimentary 10-minute phone intake. During this call, we'll discuss what brings you to counseling, answer any questions you may have, review the counseling process, and determine whether we're a good fit to work together. Because meaningful preparation takes place before an initial appointment, I do not offer extended complimentary consultations beyond this brief phone intake.

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To help clients build momentum and make meaningful progress, I require all new clients to begin with weekly sessions. As treatment goals are met and progress is maintained, we can discuss transitioning to biweekly or monthly appointments when clinically appropriate.

There are also a few situations in which I may not be the best fit:

 

Individual Counseling for Romantic Partnership Concerns

If you are seeking individual counseling solely because of difficulties within your long-term romantic relationship, I generally recommend that both partners participate in couples counseling together. My goal is to help relationships thrive, and in many situations, working with both partners creates the greatest opportunity for lasting change. If you and your partner are already participating in couples counseling elsewhere, I would be happy to provide individual counseling to support your personal growth alongside that work.

 

Solution-Focused Counseling

My counseling style is primarily solution-focused. I have had the privilege of seeing many individuals, couples, and families experience meaningful healing and transformation through this approach. While I absolutely believe there are times when people simply need a safe place to process emotions, receive support, and be heard without judgment, long-term counseling is most effective when we are also actively identifying goals and working toward meaningful solutions together.

 

Crisis Care

I do not provide crisis counseling or 24-hour crisis services. Individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, homicidal thoughts, psychosis, or other psychiatric emergencies require a higher level of care than I am able to provide in private practice. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline immediately.

 

Mental Health Professionals Seeking Therapy

If you work in the mental health profession yourself, I understand it can sometimes feel difficult to become vulnerable with another therapist. I strive to meet you where you are and move at a pace that feels comfortable while continuing to check in together to ensure we are making meaningful progress toward your goals.

 

Working with Multiple Therapists

Having supportive resources outside of our counseling sessions is both healthy and encouraged. However, receiving therapy from multiple counselors at the same time can sometimes become confusing or counterproductive, especially if recommendations conflict. If it appears that services are being duplicated or treatment approaches are significantly different, I may recommend discussing whether it would be most beneficial to continue with one therapist in order to provide consistent care.

 

Attendance & Consistency

Consistent attendance is one of the strongest predictors of successful counseling outcomes. Frequent cancellations, whether inside or outside the cancellation policy, may result in transitioning to an "on-call" scheduling arrangement rather than maintaining a recurring appointment or, when clinically appropriate, discontinuing services and providing appropriate referrals.

 

The Therapeutic Relationship

Like any meaningful relationship, the therapeutic relationship can occasionally experience challenges or misunderstandings. At times, legal or ethical responsibilities may require me to take actions to protect the safety of a client or another individual, which can understandably create difficult feelings. There may also be moments when either of us experiences disagreement or hurt during the counseling process.

While these moments can often become meaningful opportunities for healing and growth, there are situations in which it becomes clear that another therapist may be better suited to meet your needs. As therapists, we have an ethical responsibility to continually evaluate whether treatment remains beneficial, and when appropriate, I will discuss referrals to help ensure you receive the care that best supports your goals.

 

Insurance

My private practice operates on a self-pay basis, and I do not bill insurance directly.

If you would like to use insurance, the only way I am able to accept insurance is by scheduling your appointments through my Grow Therapy profile. Grow Therapy verifies your insurance benefits, manages all billing, and submits insurance claims on my behalf, allowing me to focus my time and attention on providing counseling rather than administrative insurance tasks.

To see whether I accept your insurance plan and to schedule using your insurance benefits, please visit my Grow Therapy profile:

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Schedule Through Grow Therapy

 

Whether you choose self-pay through my private practice or schedule through Grow Therapy using insurance, you will receive the same counseling services, personalized care, and commitment to helping you achieve your goals.