About

I founded Bonsai Counseling & Psychotherapy because I was tired of working for systems that seemed to prioritize business needs over clients. Yes, we are a business first and foremost, and there are business needs that must be considered to ensure we can keep the doors open, but that doesn’t mean that we have to lose touch with humanity. My motivation for starting my practice is to provide services that align with my values – social justice, flexibility, reliability, responsiveness, authenticity, and independence just to name a few – and keeping client needs at the forefront of any decision that I make for my practice. Whether you are an existing client or interested in starting services, I make my commitment and care known by responding to all inquiries, following up and following through, and sending a congratulatory message on your significant special ocassions. 

My passion for therapy stems from my own personal challenges and lived experiences. Sometimes life doesn’t go according to plan and we have no other choice but to adapt and push through it. I know how overwhelming it can be, how helpless and hopeless you can feel at times, and what a big difference it makes to have someone by your side supporting you through it all. My hope is that you will be able to find safety and security throughout our work together as you navigate life’s challenges. 

My approach to therapy is eclectic, meaning that I pull from different modalities to create a unique approach to your care. I consider myself an empath and strive to provide a supportive, non-judgmental space in which you can speak openly and confront the things that keep you stuck. My style is versatile and attuned to your needs – I listen and validate your experiences just as they are, provide guidance, offer different perspectives, teach strategies that can improve your ability to cope with your current circumstances, and bring humor when appropriate. I remain grounded in our shared humanity so that you feel at ease with the therapeutic process. Previous clients have appreciated that sessions feel more laid back and conversational rather than rigid and pathologizing.  

I hold a master’s degree in social work from Sacramento State and have worked in the mental health field for over a decade through volunteer work, internships, and employment. I have worked in different settings including hospitals (psychiatric and emergency departments), correctional facilities, and in community mental health and have served people from all walks of life. 

Soy bilingüe en español y en inglés.