psychologist | teacher | writer
Get to know me.
I live by the same philosophies that guide my work: Respect, presence, honesty, dignity, and authentic connection. I’m serious about purposeful, wholesome living, yet try approach life with a little humor and humility help keep perspective. I embed this in my counseling and teaching.
I believe in the dignity and equality of all people. We are profoundly interconnected and we all have a right to feel safe, belong, and be able to pursue our dreams. I did did a TEDx talk in 2016 on starting a kindness revolution where guide our interactions with kindness & nonviolence. I’m still committed to this goal!
In 2020 I decided to engage deeply in understanding, maybe do my part to heal, our interpersonal systems of oppression. I have been exploring my own roots and ancestry and educating myself about embedded systems of oppression. I want to engage in healing conversations and relationships while rejecting harmful or diminishing actions. There is simply no excuse not to actively protect and lift all our fellow beings. My blog, ‘Redefining Kindness’, shares my journey with nonviolence, kindness, power, & healing.
my contemplative practices
I’ve maintained a daily meditation and|dream journaling practice for three decades. I attend residential silent retreats in the Zen tradition and have studied with many gifted teachers and mentors.
I make hand-crafted dream journals and have spent time with every dream for 20 years. I dabble a little bit with haiku as a form of mindful expression. These contemplative practices are central to my own healing journey and professional work.
Credentials
I am a licensed psychologist, certified mindfulness teacher, and college professor. I have studied Jungian dream analysis & somatic-based, mindful, experiential therapies for healing deep emotional wounding.
I graduated from Stanford University and completed clinical residencies in the Yale Medical School | West Haven VA Medical Center, Stanford Counseling Center & UC-Berkeley Psychology Department. I am certified to teach Mindfulness in the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA.
What I offer.
Depth Mindfulness & Counseling
My clinical approach encourages eyes-open, courageous self reflection tempered with self compassion. Counseling can be challenging yet it is inherently playful and expansive.
I use dialogue, somatic-based mindfulness practices, guided imagery, dream wisdom, and humor to identify personal strengths, core values, & explore practical solutions. My integrated approach grows out of years of experience.
Mindfulness Circles & Affinity Groups
I offer community & university mindfulness affinity groups, & have helped as staff on mediation retreats with Inward Bound Meditation Experience, UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center, and Spirit Rock Meditation Center.
Mindful sharing about our deep, true questions and experiences can be healing and remarkably rare for many of us. Perhaps you’d be interested in joining a circle. Contact me to join after the pandemic ends.
Mindfulness, Dignity, & Cultural Well-being
Our world is fraught with interpersonal and collective harm. It numbs and wounds the heart when cause or are the target of neglect, exclusion, or injustice. Mindfulness and counseling can help unearth these impact and put us on a path toward healing.
Mindfulness practices offer a foundation for awakening and change. We can mend ourselves and collectively. We all can be part of the solution.
Specifics.
One to One counseling
call about insurance and possible openings in my practice.
Mindfulness & affinity Groups
I periodically form mindfulness circles & racial/ gender affinity groups. Contact me to join my wait-list.
Drop-in Mindfulness
Zoom community for gentle guided practice Wednesdays, noon-12:30 PST.
Soundcloud recorded meditations
Libraries of recordings used by hundreds of listeners.
“I have tried in my way to be free.” ~ Leonard Cohen
you