Contemplative Psychotherapy therapists in Yucca Valley, CA

My goal is to provide positive therapy for change, helping people move from merely surviving to thriving. I have worked in private practice since 1999 and during that time I have developed methods that have proven helpful for a number of challenges people seek treatment for. In addition, I have spent many hours getting extra training and skills to enhance my ability to help people who may be struggling.  

I believe that even in the middle of a crisis, there is a real opportunity for profound growth. My path to understanding the human condition began in the theater and the study of Method Acting, where I learned to look beneath the surface to explore how internal experience drives outward behavior. This "inside-out" perspective remains central to my work: helping you align your internal reality with your external actions. Over my 20-year career, my approach has continually evolved. After graduating from top universities and training programs, I was mentored by leading experts in trauma, addictions, and relationship dynamics. This foundation led me to establish a successful group practice in Orange County, teach psychology at UC Irvine, and serve on the Board of Directors and as Chair of the Professional Practice Committee for the Orange County Psychological Association. However, my career is only part of the story. In the midst of professional achievement, I navigated a deep personal crisis and divorce that transformed my understanding of therapy. This led me on my own journey of growth—including seven years living in Asia, studying with Buddhist monks, and caring for local villagers. What I offer today is an integration of rigorous academic training and Eastern wisdom. My decision to practice psychology grows from a sincere desire to relieve suffering and transform life's hardships into catalysts for self-actualization. I combine empirical psychological methods with the cultivation of an "awakened heart"—a state of genuine presence, nervous system regulation, and deep connection to what matters most. What to Expect in Our First Session Our first meeting is about more than cataloging problems; it is an opportunity to assess the "internal climate" of your life. Together, we will examine the patterns that are no longer serving you, identify where old narratives or high-pressure reactions have you "hooked," and see what is holding you back from living authentically. I believe therapy should offer a shift in perspective from the very first hour. You will leave our initial session with practical, evidence-based tools designed to settle your "biological alarm" and transition your nervous system from a state of defense to one of openness and flexibility. By the end of our first meeting, we will begin clarifying a personalized roadmap for long-term change, leaving you with immediate skills to start shifting your life from day one. Core Strengths & Therapeutic Philosophy A Life Dedicated to Inner Work: I don't ask you to do work I haven't done myself. My insights stem from extensive clinical training, decades of deep meditation, and navigating my own pivotal life transitions. I bring a perspective that is both seasoned and deeply empathetic. Creating a Foundation of Safety: True change requires safety. By blending a warm, collaborative connection with a structured success plan, I help you settle constant internal alarm systems, moving you from the exhaustion of perpetual "doing" into a grounded state of "being." Moving Toward What Truly Matters: I help you spot the cycle of avoidance—the habits we build to run away from pain or fear—and redirect your energy toward positive growth, core values, and meaningful action. A Strategic, Personal Roadmap: I reject one-size-fits-all, standardized protocols. By strategically blending evidence-based practices (CBT, ACT, Clinical Hypnosis, Imago, and Structural Family concepts) with Eastern principles, we build a customized success plan designed specifically for your life. Who I Work Best With I specialize in working with adults and professionals who feel stuck at a critical crossroads—whether navigating a major life or career transition, relationship strain, burnout, trauma, or a recurring pattern they are ready to break. My clients appreciate insight, structure, and forward movement. They want more than a space to vent; they are ready to understand themselves deeply and take concrete steps toward lasting change. Practice Details & Credentials Education: Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology (APA-Accredited, UT Austin); M.A. in Developmental Psychology (Teachers College, Columbia University); B.A. in Psychology (UC Santa Cruz). Licensure & Certifications: Licensed Psychologist in California (PSY 17495) and Singapore Registered Psychologist. Session Formats: Virtual sessions & In-person care in Roseville, CA. Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, Life Transitions, Trauma & PTSD, Stress & Burnout, Relationship Dynamics, Men's Issues, and Military/Veterans care.  

Where within you does conflict persist? Is it in the body, a swirling energy the surges without explanation, keeping you spinning in thought circles and struggling to sleep or relax (ANXIETY)? Is it in the heart, the whistling emptiness of grief, or the stabbing pain of ruptured relationships, and lost connections (DEPRESSION)? Is it in the head, thoughts that won’t stop reciting their well worn verses of what-ifs and should-haves (OCD/ADHD)? Is it in the spirit, an anguish of being, the unknown outnumbering the known to a paralyzing degree, questions of WHY swirling intangible as mist, existential questions, the ground beneath our feet uneven and unsteady (BELIEF/MEANING)? Is it in all of the above, and in your dreams as well, impacting ability to connect with others, to be still with yourself, to be intimate, to give and receive love, to accept what was, embrace what will be, and surrender to the now (TRAUMA)?  

Welcome to our practice. We have several excellent, experienced, culturally and linguistically diverse clinicians in Beverly Hills and DTLA who are privileged to work with individuals, couples and families. Our style is focused on helping you understand your development in a way that allows you to become unstuck from your concerns. Our common sense approach is aimed at helping you gain insight into your past and present, enabling you to make healthier choices about your present and future. We treat a range of concerns. It is important to us that you feel like you can be understood, on every level. Come as you are. We’re here to help.  

Welcome! I work with individuals, couples and groups across a wide variety of issues, including marriage and relationship counseling, trauma, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, anxiety, and depression. I use mindfulness-based approaches rooted in the Hakomi Method with a focus on attachment and internal family systems. I have an informal style balanced between validating and warm as well as sharp and challenging. I will hold you accountable and help you develop your psychological weaknesses while building up your confidence in your strengths. I offer a free 30-minute consultation.