There are some journeys we are not meant to travel alone.
It's hard to find the words to describe how honored I feel to support people on their healing journey. This work has taught me that anyone can overcome just about anything if they are willing to let help in. We are built to heal — though it may not always feel that way. Working together clients learn to trust themselves and trust their process on the path to recovery.
As a highly-trained, trauma focused therapist I'm skilled in identifying the impact of traumatic experiences on an individual’s life. Trauma is not a matter of what happened, but how our mental, emotional, and physical bodies have stored these distressing experiences. As one of my mentors says, "Just because you experienced something doesn't mean you're done processing it". Trauma also creates deeply imbedded negative beliefs that run our subconscious and ultimately our day-to-day lives. Key aspects of my work are helping clients unburden these shame-based beliefs, reconnect with the Truth of who they are, access their inner wisdom, and restore the full capacity to live their best lives.
People describe me as nurturing, friendly, articulate, and safe. I believe in the healing power of laughter so anticipate some feel-good moments. I'm grateful for my rich therapeutic background, from working as a suicide and crisis counselor, to doing grief work in a hospice setting, being an associate therapist at a community-based agency, to now working in private practice. My previous work in youth outreach and as a Creative Arts director informs my work today with young adults and creative clients. I'm the daughter of West African immigrants, which has enriched my work with first and second generation Americans navigating their own cultural identity in a Western society.
In addition to being a published author, I regularly speak at conferences, leadership retreats, schools, and other organizations on topics including destigmatizing & decolonizing mental health, overcoming anxiety, trauma and the body, pre- and postnatal mental health, inclusion & belonging, and relationship-building skills for all aspects of life.
Whether you're new to therapy or giving it another try, in crisis, or looking to enhance your healing work with trauma-focused therapy, I'd welcome the opportunity to support you on your journey to wholeness, purpose, and joy.
Education and Affiliations
Modalities and Trainings
Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from John F. Kennedy University
Bachelor's degree in Communication from Santa Clara University
Level One Internal Family Systems (IFS) Practitioner
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, Member
International Association of Trauma Professionals, Member
Therapy for Black Girls, Member
Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development, Member
American Holistic Health Association, Member
Counselors for Social Justice, Member
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
EMDR / Attachment-focused EMDR
Brainspotting for Childhood & Relational Trauma
Resilience Informed Therapy: Integrative Approach To Trauma Treatment
Somatic Experiencing
Expressive Art
Enneagram Personality Types
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
Christian Counseling
Codependency Recovery
Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA) and Dysfunctional Systems
Abuse Recovery (including narcissistic and emotional abuse)
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples
Gottman Method Relationship Therapy
12-Step Recovery