EastSIDE AFFIRMATIVE PSYCHOTHERAPy
what is your education, training, and licensure?
I earned a Master's Degree in clinical psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles, with a specialization in LGBT Affirmative Psychotherapy. I completed my clinical training at the Los Angeles LGBT Center, where I conducted therapy with individual clients, and co-facilitated a substance abuse harm reduction group. After completing my clinical training, I was offered a staff position in Mental Health Services performing outreach with the City of West Hollywood in order to connect unhoused residents with social services. Then, I transferred to the Sexual Health and Education Program as the Linkage to Care Supervisor. In this position, I supervised a staff of eight and implemented a $1 million Los Angeles County grant to provide pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to those who are uninsured or underinsured, and helped to create a same-day, fast-start medication treatment program for patients newly-diagnosed with HIV. Lastly, I held a position at the Jeffrey Goodman Clinic as a Medical Social Worker providing case management to people living with HIV and AIDS.
After leaving the LGBT Center in 2017, I opened my private practice in Los Feliz, and worked as a primary therapist at La Fuente Hollywood Treatment Center, an LGBT-specific dual diagnosis rehabilitation center in East Hollywood.
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT #117013) in the state of California. For more information regarding licensure, and on how to file a complaint with the Board of Behavioral Sciences, click here.
My professional background is in entertainment, with 14 years experience as a working actor. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Theatre Arts (Acting & Directing) from California State University, Long Beach.
DO you have any specialties?
I am passionate about helping people on the LGBTQ+ continuum achieve a wholeness and personhood not mirrored by hetero and cisnormative society. My specialties include working with trauma and complex PTSD, healing attachment wounds, and depression and anxiety. Areas of potential work are resolving the effects of childhood trauma, coming out, sexual and gender identity exploration, HIV/AIDS, toxic shame, harm reduction and 12-step recovery, codependency, and intersections of cultural/racial/ethnic identities.
In addition, because of my work as a professional actor, I am uniquely attuned to the needs of entertainment industry professionals.
How long does therapy last?
The short answer is: as long as you want it to. The long answer is: it depends on what you want to get out of our work together. Some people come to therapy to build skills for managing anxiety or after a stressful event such as a breakup. These issues can usually resolve after short-term treatment (3-6 months). Others seek treatment to heal lifelong experiences of anxiety, depression, emptiness, or lack of connection to themselves/others. Normally, this type of depth work can last a year to several years depending on how many sessions per week a person attends. A person's symptoms in this case are usually a result of persistent trauma in childhood. I specialize in the treatment of trauma, narcissistic injury (wounds to the self), and attachment deficits (not getting what we needed from our caregivers).
How much does it cost?
My rate for individual therapy is $220 for a 50-minute session. Longer, 80-minute sessions are available at $330. If you cannot afford my services, I employ a pre-licensed associate who sees clients at a reduced rate. For more information about him, click here. In the event you are not able to afford either of our services, we will provide you with referrals to sliding scale therapists and community health centers.
Payment is collected at the end of each session via cash, credit/debit card, or check.
Do you accept insurance?
No, I do not accept any insurance plans. I am considered an out of network provider. However, I can provide a monthly superbill (insurance invoice) in order for you to receive reimbursement. Not all insurance carriers and their plans provide this benefit. My suggestion is to call your insurance company and ask the following questions: Do I have coverage for out-of-network mental health visits? If so, what is my annual deductible for this benefit?