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Marriage & Family Therapist
Lic. #97171

I’ve been offering therapeutic services since 2010, and working in the healing arts since 2001. From the age of 20, two core beliefs have guided me:First- No one is free until all of us are free. To me, freedom is health. I love supporting and witnessing others as they grow into greater authenticity and peace.Second- I’ve always embodied the saying, “healer, heal thyself.” Staying committed to my own growth and evolution as a person keeps me inspired and empathetic to your journey.

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Somatic

Moving from thinking into processing sensations and emotions in the body can be transformative when we learn to hold ourselves in safety and love. Somatic theories inform all of my practice.

RELATIONAL

Relationships of all kinds are at the core of every session- and so the therapeutic relationship becomes a space to practice and experience a new way of relating. I aim to help you find understanding, ease and connection with others through the guided, compassionate support of the therapeutic relationship.

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Talk
Therapy

Somatic Methods

Professional Support

IN MY HEART

My body was my teacher. Through injury recovery, discovering emotions held over time, and healing my connection to my body, I became convinced that somatic approaches could support deeper healing than talking alone.Growing up immersed in dance, arts, humanities, and leadership, I was drawn to the yoga tradition quickly after my first year of college. After becoming a yoga teacher, I discovered Psychomotor Therapy, a healing modality from the Netherlands, that integrates mind, body and spirit - an approach I have practiced and studied ever since.

IN THE CLASSROOM

Teaching yoga in 2001, sparked my lifelong study in somatic based therapy in California and abroad.At UC Berkeley, I designed my own concentration in Integrative Psychology, culminating in an honors thesis tying together subjects that connected different paths of healing: psychology, holistic health, world religion, spirituality, culture, and community.Post graduation, I worked for three years in a mental health agency in Humboldt County, with foster youth and then returned to earn my Master’s Degree in Counseling at Sonoma State University where I worked at the on-campus Community Counseling Clinic for practicum.I've specialized in somatic approaches, developmental and attachment based theories such as IFS, and integrating alternative healing modalities into traditional western psychology.

IN THE FIELD

Since 2010 I have been practicing psychotherapy in community clinics, public schools, and restorative justice programs, and now through my private practice.From 2015–2020, I served as Executive Director of SOS Community Counseling, a nonprofit mental health agency with two core missions: to provide accessible, free and low-fee mental health services throughout Sonoma County, and to train new therapists. The agency served as a clinical training site for graduate students from multiple universities, as well as supporting post-graduate, pre-licensed clinicians in their professional development and hours toward licensure.While at SOS, I began my formal training as a Psychomotor Therapist in 2018 over weekends and holidays. I was fortunate enough to train directly with the creator, Dr. Niek Brouw, in Holland until his passing in 2024. I continue to train with the Vitaal clinic in The Hague, NL.In 2020, after stepping down from leadership, I continued with SOS as a part-time Clinical Supervisor as I grew my private practice business, which I now operate full-time in Oakland, California and online.

FINDING BALANCE

Born and raised in the Bay Area I have always appreciated the abundance of natural beauty and progressive culture here.To decompress- I connect with nature. I love hiking the steep hills of the Bay Area, listening to the soothing rhythm of the ocean. Observing the plants, animals, and natural cycles around me. I see the ebbs and flows of my life reflected in nature. It gives me peace.To fill my cup- I love exploring new cities, experiencing arts and culture, tasting new foods, and dancing and seeing live music. I'm inspired by the beautiful creations and expressions of the talented artists and creators, abundant here in the Bay Area and abroad.I feel so fortunate to have found a career where I can continue my own learning and growing, while supporting others as they access their own innate healing possibilities!

FRAME WORK

THERAPEUTIC STYLES

I consider:

A Healing Relationship

Whatever brings you to therapy, I can assure you that there is a relationship at the core. That could be your relationship with yourself, your partner or loved ones, your career, passions, purpose, spirituality, hopes, dreams, or to the ever changing world around you.Therefore, the relationship we forge in the therapy room, should reflect the theories I am working from. Healing of relationships are those where respect, compassion, and integrity are at the foundation.Allowing for us both to be human in the room- within our respective roles- becomes a space where you can return to yourself.Together, I help you:

Individual Therapy for Adults & Teens

I work with teens ages 13 and up, and adults of all ages, navigating transitions and challenges including:

Addressing:

Relationship Therapy

I work with couples, those in poly and ENM partnerships, families, and adult family members.

Addressing:

CORE VALUES

Building Safety and Trust
This is a judgment-free and compassionate zone. In sessions you are invited to explore your thoughts and feelings freely, so you can discern what is most aligned and true for you. I help you find a balance between healthy attachment in relationships and the freedom to exist uniquely as you are.Taking Responsibility
Accepting the realities we face, coupled with the ability to consciously respond, rather than automatically react, help in building an intentional life.I encourage each individual to self reflect on their role in challenging dynamics, even when unintended or reflexive. From there you can make clear decisions and choose how you want to respond.Practicing Skills
Talk therapy helps to untangle our thoughts and feeling through self-reflections and new perspectives. To bring new awareness into reality, I teach nervous system regulation, communication skills, and discernment.

Somatic Methods Help:

Practices may include:

Individual Somatic Therapy

Somatic methods support therapy by exploring the body's reactions, resistance, intuition, and needs as we talk through your feelings and work towards your goals.In sessions I may ask you to notice the sensations and feelings in your body as we explore topics you wish you uncover, process, and resolve. I will offer breathing, visualizations, or subtle movements.

Somatic Classes & Workshops

Somatic Stretch Groups - I offer regular group stretch classes, as well as workshops to teach the mind-body model I work from. These classes are a place to practice somatic exercises that help deepen your connection with your self while releasing patterns of tension built up over your lifetime.Somatic groups are educational and experiential in nature and not psychotherapy.

Practice somatic stretches in a calm, inclusive setting.

Take 90 minutes of your day to turn inward and reconnect with your body. Each session includes targeted stretches designed to relax or awaken different physical and emotional systems and develop your self-perception.Stretches are non-rigorous and accessible for most bodies.
In-person and online access available.

GROUND + RESTORE

Reconnect with your body and find steadiness through gentle, guided movement and self-attunement.These 90-minute somatic classes are designed to ease stress and support emotional and physical grounding and balance.

DETAILS

3rd Fridays from 1:00-2:30 PM at Nest Yoga, Piedmont Ave, OaklandComing soon- 1st Wednesdays: 7:00-8:00pm - OnlineFridays in 2026: Feb. 20th, Mar. 20th, Apr. 17th, May 15th, Jun. 19th, Jul. 17th, Aug. 21st, Sept. 18th, Oct. 16th, Nov. 20th, Dec. 18th.

Sliding scale $0–$70 (suggested $35).
Pay what you can. Paying more supports access for others.
No one turned away for lack of funds.No experience needed - come dressed to stretch.Pre-registration required by the day before each class

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Overview

In each group, I lead a series of stretches designed to release tensions and restore the natural functioning of the muscle chains connected to our core human capacities: Mind, Soul, and Spirit -commonly described as thinking, feeling, and acting or energizing.When the “instrument” of your body is tuned, your unique nature can shine through, as creator Dr. Niek Brouw so often said.Throughout the year, we naturally emphasize some functions more than others. During the Fall, for example, many of us operate heavily in the Mind and Spirit- focusing on productivity, completing projects, and preparing for darker days, when the body naturally shifts toward Soul activities: slowing down, resting and digesting the year’s experiences. In the darkness of mid-Winter we can meet ourselves in a deeper way and dream of what may come next. As Spring approaches we start to stir and feel inspiration to bring our dreams into reality over the next annual cycle. And so on!In this class, we work with muscle chains that will support harmony inside and out, as we flow with the cycle of nature, helping restore a more balanced and embodied connection with our individual Being - Mind, Soul, and Spirit.Each class begins with a brief introduction to the muscle chains we’ll be activating and releasing for that session. We’ll then spend most of our time practicing the stretches, with moments for integration woven throughout.

Beauty + Balance from within

Somatic Practice + Theory
These 3-hour classes will cover the "muscle chains" in the body that give animation, form, and content to the six core human functions. We will practice exercises to restore your unique balance and freedom of thought, feeling and movement.You will walk away with:

DETAILS

2026: Once a month Summer + Spring 2026
Days and times: TBA
Location: Oakland & Online

Sliding scale $150-250 per class (suggested $200).
Pay what you can. Paying more supports access for others.
No one turned away for lack of funds.Pre-registration for all 4 classes required.

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What to expect

Psychomotor Therapy

Developmental Motor Exercises for Human Balance
This group is based primarily on the Psychomotor theory and exercises created by Dr. Niek Brouw of the Netherlands. It is a developmental and movement-based system that supports stability, rebalancing and greater ease and efficiency of mind, soul, and spirit through the body.*Groups are experiential and educational in nature, and not psychotherapy.

Overview

A series of 4 classes reviewing the three muscle chains connected to our core human capacities: Mind, Soul, and Spirit - commonly described as thinking, feeling, and acting or energizing. When the “instrument” of your body is tuned, your unique nature can shine through, as the creator of this method always said.The first class will review the model and all three muscle chains, and how to work with them. The following 3 classes will each cover one of the muscle chains in more depth.We work with the specific muscle chains by releasing tension in those that are overused and stimulting the chains we need to call in and wake up. This helps restore a more embodied balance across Mind, Soul, and Spirit.Each class begins with a brief introduction to the model, time to practicing the stretches, with moments for integration woven throughout.

GROUND + RESTORE

Somatic Practices for the Holiday Season
Take a pause from the rush. Reconnect with your body and find steadiness through gentle, guided movement and self-attunement.This 90-minute somatic class is designed to ease stress and support emotional balance as you move into the holidays.

DETAILS

Fridays in 2025
November 21 & December 19
1:00–2:30 PM
Nest Yoga, Piedmont, Oakland & Online

Sliding scale $0–$70 (suggested $35).
Pay what you can. Paying more supports access for others.
No one turned away for lack of funds.No experience needed - come dressed to stretch.Pre-registration required by December 17th.

Overview

Throughout the year, we naturally emphasize some functions more than others. During the Fall, for example, many of us operate heavily in the Mind and Spirit- hustling, being productive, wrapping up projects, and preparing for the holidays. As we approach the Winter solstice, the body naturally wants to shift toward Soul activities: slowing down, digesting the year’s experiences, and dreaming of what may come next.In this class, we work with the specific muscle chains that tend to be overused in the busy season, and “wake up” the chains that support turning inward, processing, and feeling. This helps restore a more embodied balance across Mind, Soul, and Spirit.Each class begins with a brief introduction to the muscle chains we’ll be activating and releasing for that session. We’ll then spend most of our time practicing the stretches, with moments for integration woven throughout. This class will close with a short journaling prompt to take with you.

Somatic Therapy Consultation

Consultation for Somatic Therapists interested in diving deeper into somatic approaches, theory, and applying somatic techniques in session.Available to Trainees, Associates and Licensed Therapists, as well as body workers, yoga teachers/therapists, and other healing professionals.

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Somatic Consultation Group

In-person support for Bay Area based Somatic TherapistsWe meet on the 2nd Friday of each month from 9:30am-11:00am, at my Oakland office on Piedmont Avenue.The group is a collective leadership style, focusing on brief check-in's and prioritizing case consultation and business support needs.No cost - it's a mutually beneficial, supportive and generative group.

This group is currently full, however if you're interested in learning more or if you'd like to join our waitlist, please send your questions or a little about you by clicking the "Get Started" link below.Hope to connect soon!

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