I started my doctoral program in 2000 and could not wait to get through the boring assessment classes so I could start learning about therapy. I mean, really, what can a bunch of numbers and inkblots tell you about a person? Much to my surprise, those early courses piqued my curiosity and the practice of doing evaluations made me a true believer. Hearing clients say things like, “Wow! It makes so much sense now!” or “I didn’t realize I was doing that” is a powerful and humbling experience. Today, assessment is one of my passions because I see how it changes people’s lives for the better.

My approach to assessment is collaborative, which means building a relationship with you to ensure the experience and results are meaningful. Depending on what you are looking for, test results can range from determining a correct diagnosis to providing valuable information about personal motivations and capacities.

Together we develop an assessment plan, engage in the work, discuss the results, and figure out how it fits into your life. Final reports are a combination of your personal insight and my professional experience.

I enjoy building relationships and promoting positive changes in people's lives. I believe that "weaknesses" are often strengths overutilized or used in non-ideal contexts. Working collaboratively with clients, I can help them better utilize their innate strengths to meet their goals and improve their day to day lives. My clients often struggle with depression, anxiety, OCD, gay men's issues, phobias, relationships, sleep problems, self-esteem and confidence. I am especially interested in working with gay identified men and people struggling with phobias or OCD, but love working with all sorts of folks and issues.

I have training and experience in using a variety of therapies and use a blend of different methods. I most often use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. I strive to be flexible and adaptive to the individual needs of my clients. I would be honored to work with you.

It takes a lot of courage to reach out to a therapist, and you've taken that first step already. I don't know your story yet, but if you are experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, or loss, you don't need to go through it alone. You deserve support, comfort, and help. Whatever you're struggling with, you're invited to my office—in person or virtual—for a conversation.

I'm an open, gentle, sometimes sarcastic person. Therapy usually involves grappling with some uncomfortable feelings, but my clients and I also often joke and laugh in our meetings. I have training and experience dealing with a range of issues from grief to ADHD, but everyone's path is unique. I'd love to walk with you for as long as I can be helpful.

Life is always challenging, and my goal as a therapist is to work alongside you to address issues that are keeping you from living life according to your expectations. I believe in leveraging your strengths, your unique sense of self, and resources, to work towards your personal or relational goals. I have experience working with adults, adolescents, families, and couples in non-profit, residential facilities, in-home, and outpatient settings across the Twin Cities area.

My primary specialty area is working with families and couples with high conflict. Other specialty areas include cross-cultural issues, relationship issues, communication issues, parental issues, anxiety, depression, and impulsive behaviors. I speak fluent Mandarin, Cantonese and intermediate Malay. I am trained in EMDR and am an Enrich/Prepare facilitator.

I’m fascinated by how complex we are as human beings and how enriching our emotional and social experiences can be. I find that what’s most helpful in therapy is to take time to find the strength in the individuals and families I meet. I was born and raised in Mexico, which gives me the ability to provide therapy fluently in Spanish as well as in English along with a personal understanding of Latino culture, American culture and multicultural relationships. I also have a connection with Deaf culture in Minnesota and deep respect for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Soy de México, lo que me dá la habilidad de dar consejería en Español o en Inglés con un entendimiento de la cultura y familias Latinas. Me va a dar gusto conocerte y entender por lo que estás pasando.

At the core of my work is a deep respect for each person’s lived experience and identity. My current person-centered practice is heavily informed by my background in community mental health, case management, and advocacy; I approach therapy through a multicultural and accepting lens, always seeing you as a human first — not a diagnosis or a problem to be fixed.

My goal is to create a space where you feel genuinely heard, respected, understood, and supported. Together, we work to identify your strengths, explore challenges, and develop tools that align with your values and goals.

I draw from a variety of evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), trauma-informed care, and Solution-Focused Therapy. By integrating these approaches, I strive to offer individualized treatment that supports healing, growth, and meaningful change at your own pace.

My goal is to provide a safe, comfortable and non-judgmental environment that allows people to heal, grow and make positive change in their lives. I strongly believe in the healing power of therapy. I can help you identify the barriers that are getting in your way and provide the tools needed to overcome them.

I specialize in improving the lives of teens, young adults, adults and families. I have experience with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, body image, trauma, self-esteem, relationships, parenting, and social skills development.

I have a passion for working with adolescents and young adults and for the unique struggles that they face. Using a person-centered approach, I aim to create a space for you to tell your individual story in a safe and trusting environment. I want to know you and help you feel that your problems are valid, real, and manageable. Though we are all individuals, we grow up and live within systems and social contexts that shape our experiences, and I do my best to acknowledge this aspect of you in addition to your autonomy.

There is no "right" reason to seek therapy. Sometimes life is hard, and talking to a therapist can make it feel a little easier. Whether you are experiencing stress and anxiety from school, feeling sad about a break-up, frustrated from losing a job, or overwhelmed about politics and the state of the world, we can work through that together.

Sometimes our lives can become overwhelming and challenging. We might encounter events that are out of our control. Perhaps our relationships are rocky, or we are at some point in our lives where change is disruptive and hard to maneuver. Suddenly, we find ourselves needing support and want to explore what therapy might have to offer. I work with individuals, families, and couples in a range of ages, teen to elder. I am an inclusive provider who is a strong supporter/advocate in working with BIPOC and LBGTQIA2+ communities.

I find it really helpful to create a solid therapeutic connection which allows the individual to feel they are truly validated. Some of the interventions I am trained in include EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), Brainspotting, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Sand Tray Therapy, and Internal Family Systems.

Thank you for advocating for yourself and/or your relationship—it's a brave and vulnerable step. Sometimes life gets in the way of our growth. Sometimes our past casts long shadows into the present. And sometimes, it's the fear of the future that keeps us stuck. My experience includes working with children, individuals, couples, and families. I offer a non-judgmental and supportive space to talk through what’s been on your mind, what’s been worrying you, or what you’d like to change. I’m a person of color, fluent in Arabic and English, and committed to creating a welcoming space for people from all walks of life.

I take a person-centered, experiential approach—meaning our time together is focused on you. I believe each person is unique: I’m interested in your values, early experiences, cultural background, and how all of these influence your relationships and decisions today.

Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or simply trying to understand yourself better, I'm here to support you. I’m especially attuned to the unique challenges that can come with navigating multiple cultural identities, inter-generational expectations, or the pressure to appear strong while feeling stuck inside.