Yes — I offer both in-person sessions at my office in Pleasanton and telehealth sessions using HIPAA-compliant software.

I also occasionally host groups or events at other locations in the Tri-Valley; please check the event page for details and schedules. If you’re unsure which format is right for you, I’m happy to discuss options and help you choose what will best support your needs.

Finding the right therapist matters. Here’s how I assess fit when you’re considering working with me:

• You feel heard and respected from the first few sessions; I listen without judgment and reflect understanding.

• You can bring up difficult topics without feeling dismissed or shamed; I prioritize emotional safety.

• My approach matches your needs (skills-based, insight-oriented, trauma-informed) and I explain methods clearly and welcome questions.

• You notice forward movement — small insights or relief between sessions, even if change is gradual.

• I uphold boundaries, confidentiality, and professional ethics consistently.

• We set goals and a treatment plan together; I check in about progress and adjust as needed.

• Trust and rapport develop over a few sessions; if you still feel disconnected after several meetings, it’s okay to find a better match.

• If you’re unsure, I encourage a consultation, asking clarifying questions, or trying a few therapists—fit is personal and worth finding.

In your first therapy session (after you’ve completed the paperwork), we’ll start by reviewing any questions you had while filling out the forms and I’ll answer anything that’s unclear. We’ll spend most of the session talking about what brought you to therapy now—your concerns, goals, and what you hope to change or understand. I may ask more background questions than in a typical session so I can get a clear picture of your situation, and I will spend a lot of time listening. If time allows, we’ll close by checking in about how the session felt for you and any feedback you’d like to share about the experience.

Some people come for a few sessions to learn a specific skill or address a single problem and finish quickly. Others use therapy as ongoing emotional support and may choose to continue for years. Most people fall somewhere in between: several months to a few years, with progress sometimes occurring in stages.

My aim is to help you build the skills, insight, and supports so that you can manage more on your own—or with the help of trusted people in your life, a partner, or your community. We'll regularly check progress and adjust the plan. Factors that influence length of therapy include:

• The nature and severity of the issues you're addressing (e.g., grief or a single life transition vs. long-standing patterns or trauma).

• Your goals and how quickly they become clear and achievable.

• Your life circumstances and available supports.

• How often you attend sessions and how much you practice tools between sessions.

• Any co-occurring medical or mental health conditions.

At intake we’ll discuss your goals. If you’d like, we can set short-term milestones (for example, 6–12 weeks) to review and decide whether to continue, reduce frequency, or transition to maintenance sessions.

I use text message and email for administrative tasks only, not for therapeutic support. If you need emotional support or clinical guidance, please reach out so we can schedule a phone call or another session. If this is an emergency or you are in crisis, contact local emergency services or call 988 immediately.

Therapy with me is collaborative and tailored. I offer a calm, empathetic space to explore feelings, build coping skills, improve communication, and strengthen connection. I combine practical tools for stress regulation and problem-solving with attention to values and identity.

If you’re seeking a therapist experienced in life transitions and growing-family concerns, contact me to see if we’re a good fit.