I am originally from New Jersey but moved to sunny Southern California to earn my Masters in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. Since my freshman year of college, I’ve had a calling to work with those who are struggling with eating disorders. My passion for helping people is fueled by a deep empathy for people, especially women, who hurt their bodies as they work through their self-doubt, traumas and self-esteem issues.

 

This passion and calling lead me to earn my Marriage and Family Therapy (#48782) license in the state of California, where I concentrated on Eating Disorders in my studies. I immediately began employment at an Eating Disorder treatment center in Long Beach where I spent five years as a Recovery Coach, Primary Therapist and Program Director. I have since taken that experience into my private practice, where I have been practicing for 15 years and treated hundreds of clients in the community, becoming a trusted referral source for pediatricians, endocrinologists, school counselors, and nutritionists. 

 

I am a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and CEDS-Supervisor trained to treat even the most challenging presentations of anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder. In order to support the underlying root causes of eating disorders, I have completed a certification course in Dialectical Behavior Therapist (DBT), have a certification of completion for Perinatal Mood Disorders, and am a certified Intuitive Eating Pro. I held a position on the Board of the Orange County chapter of the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP) from 2011-2016.  I am continuously researching, consulting, and learning more about eating disorders so I can remain fresh, informed and confident in my healing approach.

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I enjoy working with clients who are learning how to understand their bodies unique communication styles and needs, however that is presenting itself. I work with Perinatal Mood Disorders and support new parents in their journey to ground their thoughts and physical bodies, neurodivergent clients who are learning coping skills to calm overstimulated sensory syustems, and clients whose attachment disruptions has led to borderline personality development or low emotional regulation. I love helping people learn to understand themselves and find peace in their process. 

 

I founded Monarch Rising Therapy and Nutrition Services to expand the offerings for quality and compassionate Eating Disorder care to South Orange County. We offer multiple therapy modalities through traditional talk therapy, creative and expressive therapies, and collaborative nutrition counseling in order to give each client the personalized care they deserve in their healing process. Our team has a variety of expertises driven by their own healing journeys and passions for aiding clients to find the freedom to rise up from the internal pain that has kept them from being able to embrace their true selves for way too long. We adamantly defy diet culture fundamentals and believe in radical body inclusivity, allyship, and continued learning from our clients lived experiences. We believe that therapy can lead to a beautiful metamorphosis so clients can live authentically!