About Me

When I started interviewing autistic adults for my dissertation, I discovered that I really enjoyed hearing their stories and unique perspectives. I figured out quickly that most of the stereotypes that I had been taught about autism simply were not true. The people I was talking with were not like emotionless robots at all. They were funny, authentic, and passionate about contributing to society in meaningful ways.

I grew inspired to provide services for the “lost generation” of adults who were overlooked because their autistic traits were not readily apparent to others or because they did not have access to resources that were a good match for them in childhood.

Many of my clients report that they were wounded by treatments that tried to make them "less autistic." I celebrate the many ways that human brains are diverse, and I want to help you heal and live up to your full potential.

Since 2011, I have been researching social anxiety in adults on the spectrum, and now I’m motivated to bring what I’ve learned into the community.

My passion as a therapist is helping clients manage social anxiety, recover from trauma, reduce depression and anxiety, and remove the barriers to reaching their goals. If you feel ready to navigate the social world with more confidence and ease instead of dread and avoidance, I hope you will give me a call today.

With warm regards,

A few notes on my training and background:

I received my doctorate in clinical psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in Palo Alto in 2013. Since 2006, I have worked in research at the Lundquist Institute at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center on clinical studies for adults with anxiety related to advanced-stage cancer, with autistic adults with social anxiety, and with patients in palliative care who experience demoralization. I was also a lead clinician and supervisor for a clinical trial at UCSF for psychological distress in long-term survivors of HIV/AIDS. I have completed Level 1 Internal Family Systems (IFS) training, and I am certified in Trauma-Focused CBT and Focusing-Oriented Psychotherapy.