My connection to the Deaf community began at a young age and has remained an important part of both my personal and professional journey. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Deaf Studies with a concentration in Human Services from California State University, Northridge, where I developed a strong foundation in Deaf culture, Deaf history, and American Sign Language (ASL).

Over the years, I had the privilege of working and living at a residential school for the Deaf, supporting Deaf students in educational settings, serving as an ASL interpreter in a high school environment, and providing mental health services to Deaf individuals and their families while working in community mental health. These experiences deepened my appreciation for the richness of Deaf culture and the importance of culturally responsive, accessible mental health care.

Although my clinical practice has evolved over the years, my background in Deaf Studies continues to influence the way I practice psychotherapy. It has shaped my understanding of communication, identity, relationships, and the many ways people experience and connect with the world around them.

Today, my clinical practice is focused on trauma, anxiety, eating disorders, EMDR, Somatic Experiencing®, Relational Gestalt Therapy, and Yoga Therapy. While my background in Deaf Studies remains an important part of my professional journey, I no longer maintain the level of ASL fluency necessary to provide psychotherapy in American Sign Language. As a result, I am not currently offering therapy services in ASL.