I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT #40672).
I hold a Master’s degree from the University of San Francisco. I have
worked in private practice since 2001 and in various agency and school
settings since 1999. My offices are in San Francisco and Daly City (See Office Locations for specifics).
My training and experience encompasses a large range of issues including
crisis intervention, recovery from alcohol, drugs and other addictions including
eating disorders, trauma & PTSD treatment, grief and loss, depression
and anxiety, ineffective communication, and life transition challenges.
Some of the techniques I use include cognitive, insight-oriented, behavioral,
transpersonal and EMDR. (Please see the Types of Therapy section
for a more detailed description of my style and the techniques I use.)
In addition to my education and required training, I have received extensive
training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). This is
a brief and very effective therapy technique, which can often help with
transforming maladaptive beliefs one has about oneself. These beliefs may
have been acquired through traumatic experiences or messages passed on over
years in our family of origin. EMDR is also very effective in helping to
improve performance in various ways (i.e. making speeches, improving in
the arts or sports, overcoming stage fright). For additional information, please see What is EMDR.
I am a clinical member of the American Association of Marriage and Family
Therapists (AAMFT), the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
(CAMFT) and the San Francisco chapter of CAMFT (SF-CAMFT).
My background is bi-cultural, German and American. I lived for five years in Germany and worked during that time for an organization focused on integrating the lifestyles of the disabled and the non-disabled. I am originally from the East coast and have lived in San Francisco since 1996.
What is a Marriage and Family Therapist?
Marriage and Family Therapists are relationship specialists who treat persons
involved in interpersonal relationships. They are trained to assess, diagnose
and treat individuals, couples, families and groups to achieve more adequate,
satisfying and productive marriage, family and social adjustment. The practice
also includes premarital counseling, child counseling and other relationship
counseling. Marriage and Family Therapists are psychotherapists and healing
art practitioners licensed by the State of California. Requirements for
licensure include a related doctoral or two-year Master’s degree,
passage of two comprehensive written exams and completion of at least 3,000
hours of supervised experience. A Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) is
the new designation for what was previously known as a Marriage, Family
and Child Counselor (MFCC) in California.
The competent Marriage and Family Therapist in California will:
- Be licensed by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (www.bbs.ca.gov)
- Be bound by a professional code of ethics
- Abide by the laws and regulations affecting the profession
- Participate in professional association such as the California Association
of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT – www.camft.org)
- Engage in activities to keep up-to-date in a changing professional
environment
- Treat clients only within the scope of their license and competence
- Refer clients to other qualified practitioners when appropriate or
necessary
- Welcome inquiries about methods, background, experience and fees
Other Types of Therapists
The qualifications and training requirements for every mental health professional
are governed by state laws and ethical standards. These laws and standards
vary from one state to another and from one profession to another. Below
are some examples of mental health professionals and their qualifications.
For additional information, the links below each category will route you
to the corresponding professional association.
Counselors have specialized training in particular areas, like Certified
Alcohol counselors (CAC), or they may have advanced degrees (e.g. Master’s
degrees) in counseling, nursing, psychology, or guidance. They tend to deal
with very specific problems, such as alcohol addiction or career indecision.
For more information: California Association of
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors
Social workers have a Master’s degree in social work (MSW or CSW),
which entails two years of education and training. Their knowledge of social
support systems, organizations, and groups (e.g. recreation and welfare
agencies) and how they may meet a person’s psychological needs is
a distinguishing characteristic. Not all social workers in mental health
services practice psychotherapy. Clinical social workers are the largest
group of professionally trained mental health care providers in the United
States.
For more information: The National Association of Social Workers
Psychologists have a doctorate (Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D.) in psychology.
They undergo at least four years of training and education in research,
human behavioral theories, and therapeutic techniques. In addition to therapy
or counseling, they are the mental health professionals that specialize
in the administration of psychological tests and assessments and carry out
psychological research.
For more information: American Psychological Association
Psychiatrists are physicians (M.D. or D.O.) who have completed psychiatric
residency training after four years of medical school. Psychiatrists specialize
in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental illnesses and substance
abuse disorders. Many psychiatrists undergo additional training for specialization
in such areas as child and adolescent psychiatry, geriatric psychiatric,
psychopharmacology, psychoanalysis and/or forensic psychiatry. Psychiatrists
can prescribe medication.
For more information: American Psychiatric Association
