I am a graduate of Vassar College with a double major in Sociology and Psychology. After graduation, I taught elementary school for HISD. Teaching led me to pursue a Masters Degree in Social Work from University of Houston, with a focus in clinical social work with children and families. I completed two internships: one as a school social worker for HISD, and one as an outpatient psychotherapist at Depelchin Children’s Center. In both settings I worked with children, adolescents, adults and families. After graduating with my Masters Degree I worked in variety of settings. I worked as a psychotherapist at Cypress Creek Psychiatric Hospital, Sharpstown Hospital, Twelve Oaks Hospital and Park Plaza Hospital providing care to clients of varying ages and varying diagnoses. I spent 5 years at Texas Children’s Hospital, providing emotional support and crisis counseling to children, adolescents and their families. I worked with a variety of patients and families facing medical problems including Cystic Fibrosis and Eating Disorders. I also gained experience working with victims of physical and sexual abuse. During that time I was trained and certified in family mediation, through the University of Houston. I completed extensive training and became certified as a grief and bereavement counselor and volunteer at Bo’s Place, which offers a unique program that provides support to children and their families who have experienced the death of a family member, spouse/parent, child/sibling. I supplemented my therapy skills by becoming certified through trainings with Howard Glasser (The Nurtured Heart Approach to Parenting) in 2005 and with Michelle Weiner-Davis (Divorce Busting, Divorce Remedy) in 2007, and I became a certified Life Coach through Martha Beck in 2011-2012. I work with a wide range of clients with a variety of issues. I work with children, adolescents, adults, and families, on emotional, behavioral, and psychosocial issues. I am currently an outpatient therapist with a practice at the Woodlands Family Institute and a small practice in Houston TX. Personal Philosophy: People of all ages and walks of life can benefit from therapy, because therapy is really for anyone wanting to improve their life. Sometimes problems are concrete and clear, other times, people know that something isn’t quite right, but they can’t identify what is causing them unhappiness or stress. Therapy works because there are times in everyone’s life when they can use help to overcome the obstacles that stand in their way. Problems come in many shapes and sizes, both large and small, and therapy is a good space in which such problems can be addressed. Sometimes this occurs through learning new tools and skills; other times it takes place by having someone to listen and give objective feedback. The process is a collaborative one, in which both therapist and client work together. As a therapist, I encourage clients to identify their strengths, and then build on those strengths. I strongly believe that all individuals are perfect and whole as they are, and that therapy can serve as a tool for learning, and as a way to improve ones life. Benefits: Therapy can benefit people of all ages and walks of life; children, adolescents, adults, families and couples. Here are some of the reasons and benefits to seek therapy. Children: To identify and address issues of depression, anxiety/stress, aggression/anger/ temper tantrums, impulsivity/ADHD, improve behavior, provide support for children with chronic illness, address grief & loss issues, address social concerns, improve coping, attend to adjustment difficulties (moving, new school, new sibling, family divorce), improve behavioral problems at school and home, improve self esteem, address pervasive developmental problems and learning disabilities. The goal of therapy with children can be multifold, but most often involves building a child’s self esteem, improving behavior an coping strategies, increasing their well being, and supporting and improving parenting strategies to help their child. Therapy with children includes parental support. Adolescents: To identify and address issues of depression, anxiety/stress, aggression/anger/oppositional behavior, impulsivity/ADHD, improve behavior, provide support for adolescents with chronic illness, attend to grief & loss issues, handle social concerns, address adjustment difficulties (moving, new school, new sibling, family divorce), improve behavioral problems at school and home, improve self esteem, address relationship concerns, decrease family conflict, increase motivation, address school problems, address identity issues, eating disorder and body image issues, to support patients around issues of medication management. Adolescence is a time of transition from childhood to adulthood. Often therapy can make that transition go more smoothly for families. The goal of therapy with adolescents can be multifold, but often involves building self esteem, encouraging responsible behavior, increasing family communication, and supporting and improving parenting strategies to help both adolescents and their families. Therapy with adolescents includes parental support. Adults: To identify and address depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder; decrease stress, increase motivation, improve relationships, improve work satisfaction, address grief & loss issues, make changes, take action, set and reach specific goals, build self esteem, increase ones well being, and have the life you want. Families: To improve relationships, increase communication, improve and resolve issues related to divorce and step-families, get support and help with parenting skills, resolve family conflict, address issues of grief & loss. Families function as a unit. Therapy is most often effective when involving the family system. Couples: Increase communication, prevent divorce/separation, resolve disputes and disagreements, improve quality of the relationship, address issues of loss and grief , create greater intimacy. Couples change and grow continuously over time. Therapy can be beneficial because it can help couples move forward and make the changes necessarily to have a fulfilling and happy relationship. Personal Information: I am in my early forties , and though I have lived in Houston for over 20 years, I have also lived in Montreal, Paris, L.A., Philadelphia and New York. I speak both French and Spanish fluently, though English is my first and primary language. I enjoy time with my husband and 2 young sons, reading a great book, time with friends and family, swimming and yoga, and when time permits I love to travel.