About
"Many times, when we transition through the states of our lives, we encounter circumstances which block our progress. During these times, it is often beneficial to seek professional assistance. If you find yourself in this situation, perhaps I can help you move forward."
I offer assistance in all areas of divorce care, from pre-divorce individual therapy to child custody evaluations. As a licensed marriage and family therapist with extensive experience in the area of family law as well as a doctorate in clinical psychology, I have the ability to assist you during your trying transitional period.
Services offered include therapy, coaching, assessment and mediation.
Areas of proficiency include high conflict relationships, parenting, divorce mediation, child custody evaluations and EMDR.
Mediation is the most effective process in which to resolve conflicts. When you decide to mediate your divorce issues, you and your spouse work together to design how things will end, not the court. The process involves office visits, usually one hour in duration, and is completed when you have reached a satisfactory agreement. An important component of any mediation is the skill of the mediator to work productively with clients. With my experience, I believe your outcome will be positive.
When parents work together children benefit. During a divorce, nobody wins, especially the children. With the proper assistance, families can hope to stabilize feelings and relationships while attending to the other tasks involved in dissolving and then rebuilding households.
My education, coupled with over thirty years of experience as a family law paralegal, enhances my ability to serve individuals and families in all areas of relationship difficulties.
Attention trainees/Interns | Clinical Supervision Offered
Education and Experience
License
Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT AZ-15487, CA-47980 & TX-202858)
Education
- MLAW, Mediation Concentration, Regent University School of Law (2019)
- Psy.D. Clinical Psychology, Southern California Seminary (2008)
- MS, Marriage and Family Therapy, Cum Laude, Southern Christian University, (2005)
- BS, Organizational Leadership, Biola University (2001)
- Paralegal Certificate, University of La Verne (1975)
Professional Training
- Post Doctoral Internship – private practice registered psychological assistant (2005 – 2011)
- Pre Doctoral Internship – Turning Point Crisis Center - psychosocial rehabilitation specialist (2006-2009)
- Post Graduate Training – private practice (2005-2008)
- Graduate Training – Family Treatment Center, Mental Health Systems (2004-2005)
Professional Experience
- (2005–present) Private practice therapist with a focus on individuals, mediation, conjoint therapy, parenting coordination, high conflict parenting class, anger management, child custody and visitation mediation, therapeutic supervised visitation, Family Court Services mediation preparation, parenting coordinator and divorce coaching, child custody evaluations.
- (July 2015 – present) Adjunct Professor, Adult Professional Studies, San Diego Christian College, Psychology Department, Undergraduate
- (April 2013 – June 2017) Transitions Family Program, Clinical Supervisor
- (April 2015 – Present) Expert Consultant, Board of Behavioral Sciences (Board) Expert Witness Program
- (March 1, 2018 – March 1, 2021) Expert Consultant, Board of Behavioral Sciences
- (2011 – present) Adjunct Professor, Southern California Seminary, Behavioral Health, Graduate
- (August 2010 – present) Assistant Professor, San Diego Christian College, Psychology Department, Undergraduate
- (October, 2017 – present) Academic Advisor, San Diego Christian College
- (2006 – October 2010) Psychosocial Rehabilitation Specialist, Turning Point Crisis Center. Crisis Intervention, clinical assessments, individual and group therapy
- (2005 – 2011) Registered psychological assistant. Individual and group therapy, and assessments.
- (1979 – 2010) Family law paralegal. Served in management capacity handling all areas of attorney supporting divorce cases as well as creation and implementation of law office procedures, staff management and accounts payable collection.
- (1990 – present) Supervised visitation monitor. Supervisor to parents who must have monitored contact with their children.
Certifications/Proficiency
- Child Custody Evaluator
- Certified Parenting Coordinator
- Certified Leadership Parenting Coach – John Rosemond
- EMDR – Part 1 and Part 2 through HAP
- Certified in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Life Coach
- Certified Marriage Coach
- Domestic Violence 40 hour training
- AAMFT Approved Supervisor
- Clinically Certified Forensic Counselor - National Association of Forensic Counselors
Presentations
- Sports Psychology, University of California, San Diego, July 23, 2009
- San Diego Christian College, San Diego, CA – Presentation on the family, October 2, 2012
- Foothills Bar Association, Family Law Section Meeting – “Had a Bad Experience with a Professional"
- Supervised Visitation Monitor, October 16, 2012
- California Association of Professional Providers of Supervised Visitation–Training Program–The Role of the Professional Monitor: Supervised Visitation in the Context of Family Code Section 3200.5, March 8, 2013, March 9, 2013
- Family Conference presented by Rhombus, El Cajon, California – High Conflict Relationships, February 21, 2015
- Kiwanis Club – speaker, April 6, 2016
- CAMFT San Diego Chapter meeting – Conjoint Therapy – May 6, 2016
- Schizophrenia – University Teaching Hospital – Lusaka, Zambia – Neuro Psychology students, May 16, 2017
- Forgiveness and Mental Health Implications – University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Ridgeway Campus – Lusaka, Zambia – 160 fourth year medical students, May 17, 2017
- Creating a patient alliance – University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Ridgeway Campus – Lusaka, Zambia – 160 medical students, May 22, 2017
- Schizophrenia – University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Ridgeway Campus – Lusaka, Zambia – 160 medical students, May 22, 2017
- How to conduct a clinical interview -– University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Ridgeway Campus – Lusaka, Zambia – 160 medical students, May 23, 2017
- Conducted role play for interview and diagnosis of mental health disorders – University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Ridgeway Campus – Lusaka, Zambia – 160 medical students, May 24, 2017
- Forgiveness and Mental Health Implications – University Teaching Hospital – Lusaka, Zambia – sixth year medical students, May 31, 2017
Research
A Quantitative Assessment For Offering Counseling Services To Medical Students Attending University Of Zambia, School Of Medicine.
Dissertation: A survey of the current supervised visitation monitor in San Diego County with the purpose of developing a more comprehensive training program. Areas of interest during dissertation research included: attachment theory, domestic violence, parenting, effects of divorce on families, supervised visitation practices.
Publication
Pending: A Quantitative Assessment For Offering Counseling Services To Medical Students Attending University Of Zambia, School Of Medicine.